Patsy Knodel

She was born in North Little Rock in 1933 to Thaddeus and Goldie Wells. She grew up on a 240-acre farm in Rixie, AR and graduated from Jacksonville (AR) High School.

She married first husband Woodrow Webb of North Little Rock in 1954, and together they owned Pat and Woody’s Dairy Diner, famous for its chili and queso recipes.

She worked as the Executive Secretary for 43 years for Stephens, Inc., where she warmly welcomed many celebrities and presidents and closely supported two generations of company leadership. She was a member of Executive Women International, with which she traveled the US extensively and networked with other professional women across many industries.

In 1994 she married Leroy Knodel of New Braunfels, TX. They thoroughly enjoyed 15 years of marriage until his passing.

Patsy devoted her time and energy as a Master Gardener to the picturesque Old Mill grounds for many years and always surrounded herself with as many plants and animals as her environment allowed.

Patsy was passionate about animal rescue and supported the local humane society for decades. She personally fostered and adopted out 156 cats and dogs, and always had a menagerie of permanent cats, dogs, fish, and goats at home. She was widely known for her generous collection of strays—both animals and people.

She was the chicken and dumplings and breakfast casserole connoisseur of her family and a true crossword puzzle savant. She loved antiquing, country-western dancing, chocolate milkshakes,

and candies of all kinds. She was a fantastic conversationalist with impeccable manners, but not without a healthy dash of sass. She had a famous round guest room bed made of hemp where

many secrets and late-night conversations were shared. Her family could always count on a gracious response of ‘sounds wonnnderful’ any time they suggested something to do or eat.

Patsy was game for anything and carried with her an indomitable positivity. Flexible in every sense of the word, she could bend down and easily touch her toes, even past 90 years old!

“Aunt Patsy’s” pride in and unending encouragement of her loved ones will live on in our hearts forever. Though we grieve deeply the loss of a family anchor, we rest in her unwavering assurance

of her salvation in Jesus and know that we will indeed see her again.

Patsy was preceded in death by Woodrow Webb of North Little Rock, Leroy Knodel of New Braunfels, and brother-in-law Harold Roberts of Sherwood.

She is survived by sister Billie Roberts, nephews Kevin Roberts (Dana) of Houston, TX and Larry

Roberts (Tracie) of Atlanta, GA, great-nieces Haley Frey (Marshall), Olivia Steinhauser (John), Laura Funk (Ronnie), and Natalie Roberts, great-nephews Ryan Roberts (Michelle), and Aaron Roberts, and six great-great nieces and nephews. One more great-great niece, Amelia Steinhauser, due in November, will carry the middle name Wells in her honor.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 20 from 9-10a at Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth Funeral Home (5800 W 12th St. Little Rock, AR). Funeral services will be held at 10a in the same location,

immediately following visitation. Burial will follow at approximately 11am at Oakland & Fraternal Historic Cemetery Park (2101 Barber St. Little Rock, AR).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Humane Society of Pulaski County as a way to further extend Patsy’s impact.