Patricia Ann Clagg

Patricia 'Pat' Ann Clagg, 74, of Shawnee, completed her circle of life on Saturday, April 4, 2020. She taught her kids the virtues of valuing a relationship with God first, and family second, above all else. Her devotion to her faith and family, and to serving others, will live on through them.

Pat was born on a farm northeast of Lexington, Oklahoma, near Buckhead Creek. Her mother heard on the radio that day that the war with Nazi Germany had been declared over and often told Pat, being a breech baby, that two wars had been fought that day and won. She was the youngest of three siblings and attended school in Norman, graduating from Norman High School in 1963. She had a love for music and a desire to play the piano. She often wondered if her dad had to work two jobs in order to pay for those lessons that allowed her to serve the Lord and be a blessing to so many congregations and worship services over the years.

Pat was, of course, playing the piano in 1958 at Straight Street Free Will Baptist Church in Norman when she "caught the eye" of Willie Clagg, whom she married two weeks after her high school graduation. They have been married for 56 blessed years. Together, they raised three children, most of that time in Little Axe east of Norman, where they moved in 1974. Pat noted that it was the coldest house she’d ever lived in but on January 1, 1977, one day after butchering a hog, the entire hog was roasted along with the house and most everything in it. Everybody was safe and that was all that mattered. A new, and warmer house was built further up the hill and a 30 ft by 60 ft concrete slab (always referred to as just “the slab”) was poured in place of the old house and provided countless hours of family enjoyment over the years. Pat would say that “Heaven to her” would be sitting on the cellar watching her kids, grandkids, and all those to come, playing on the slab.

Pat drove a school bus 14 years for Little Axe Schools. Although she said that she was sometimes called names, whacked on the head with large musical instruments, sneezed on, puked on, etc., she felt she left an impact on some of the kids as she did not allow cussin’, drinking or smoking on the bus. She often sent kids back to their houses to grab their coats or backpacks they’d forgotten in the morning rush. She certainly “let her light shine” on many rural miles in eastern Cleveland County, noting one time that one of her orneriest kids gave her a Bible for Christmas.

Pat’s true gift was playing music. She served as pianist for many churches over the years, often accompanying her beloved husband serving as the song leader. If someone could not sing “on key,” Pat would adjust on the fly and play by ear to find the key they were mostly singing in. She was that talented and that gifted. Her piano playing at family gatherings, most notably Thanksgiving and Christmas, will be sorely missed. Pat shared her passion for music with Willie and they often met with local musicians to play bluegrass and gospel music.

Pat was preceded in passing by her parents, Fred and Ada Garner; two brothers, Morris Garner and Johnny Garner. She leaves on this side her husband Willie F. Clagg, three children that include daughter Julie Gibbs and her husband Robert of Shawnee, son Brian Clagg and his wife Melanie of Norman, and daughter Christina Clagg Reyes of Edmond. Her grandchildren include Bolen Gibbs and wife Candice, Natasha Wittman and husband Micah, Shyla Stokes and husband Dustin, Justin Valentine, Kaleigh Clagg, Addisyn Clagg and Mackenzie Clagg. Her great grandchildren include Elias, London, Evelyn, Victoria, Owen and Josiah.