Arkie Roselle Patterson Huffman passed away peacefully on January 16, 2021. She was born on October 5, 1924 in the small town of Harrison, Arkansas, in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. At 96 years old she was greeted at the gates of heaven by her parents, two older brothers, two husbands and a large number of friends!
Arkie at a very young age started collecting ‘rocks’ of all sizes, shapes and colors. This hobby continued into her eighties. During World War II Arkie became a “Rosie the Riveter” as she worked in the Final Assembly on the B-29 airplane at the Boeing Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. Arkie was very active with the Rosie’s, attending and speaking at events in Arizona and conventions throughout the United States.
Those who knew our mother will remember her as a beautiful, selfless woman who loved her family and friends. She never missed a St. Mary’s High School football game and was always available to take her children and their classmates to games throughout the valley.
Arkie was very involved & supportive with the St. Louis the King Women’s Group. For years she served on the Board for the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and traveled the valley promoting the Right to Life. Arkie was able to travel to Rome to visit the Vatican grounds and see Pope John Paul bless one of her grandson’s.
Mom devoted her life to her family and was dearly loved by her five children; Jody (Dan) Powers, Bill (Kathy) Patterson, Patricia (Mike) Jennings, René (Mike) Downey and Amy Patterson, 11 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren,6 great-great grandchildren; Step-son Richard Huffman, step-granddaughter Mary Mahoney step-grandson, son Mark Huffman and 5 step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass is scheduled for 11:00 am, February 25, 2021 at St. Louis the King Catholic Church 4331 W Maryland Avenue, Glendale, Arizona.
In lieu of flowers Arkie would smile with a donation made on her behalf to:
Maggie’s Place (4001 N. 30th St. Phoenix, AZ 85016) or Arizona Right to Life (4633 N. 54th St. Phoenix, AZ 85018). Please visit www.surprisefuneralcare.com to leave memories and condolences for her family.
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