Patsy Ruth Davidson

Patsy (who preferred “Pat”) was born at home on April 8, 1932 to Delbert and Mabel Shelley in Neosho, Missouri; she was one of 10 children (7 girls and 3 boys). Mrs. Davidson went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, July 28, 2023.

Growing up in southern Missouri, Pat and her siblings enjoyed the farm life. Her family worked hard for 6 days and rested on Sunday with Bible readings and playing games like “I Spy” and “20 Questions”. She lived in a 4-room house, sleeping 3-4 kids per bed. It was a child’s dream to roam the woods, swim in a water hole, and trap squirrels & rabbits for the dinner table. They cut timber and sold it to folks (like themselves) who cooked and heated with it. They tended a huge field of vegetables & fruit for fresh eating and for fall & winter canning. Even as a little girl, Pat was good at sewing, cooking, canning and raising chickens. She gave her heart to the Lord at an early age and stayed close to Him. She graduated Granby High School and married in 1948.

Pat, her husband and three children moved to Tyler in 1962 where they were one of the founding families of Grace Community Church. She loved old hymns and reading the scriptures. Pat enjoyed living in the country with plenty of acreage for cows, horses, chickens, dogs and cats. Her home was beautifully adorned with a focus on family and faith. In 1998, she and 3 of her sisters all celebrated their 50th wedding anniversaries with their husbands at a massive family reunion in Carthage, Missouri and Oswego, Kansas.

Pat’s fine sewing handiwork, cooking and love for family will be remembered for ages as some of her quilts, comforters, recipes, etc., will be proudly passed down to future generations. More importantly, her kind spirit, generous smile and contagious laugh will be fondly remembered. Patsy Ruth will be missed by many friends and family; her Christian faith and unconditional love for others is her legacy.

Survivors include her son, Danny and daughter-in-law Jennifer; daughter, Linda and son-in-law, Steve Hallford; son, Eloy and daughter-in-law, Vicki; eleven grandchildren; and many loving great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Orin; son, Jay; sisters, Jerry, Cressie, Eva Mae & Mary; and brothers, Jimmy & Richard.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation at: https://www.htohhfoundation.org/donation/

Memorial services for Patsy Ruth Davidson (neé Shelley) will be held on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home in Tyler, Texas with Pastor John Prestridge officiating.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tylermemorial.com for the Davidson family.