On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, Patricia Ann Hough, beloved wife, caring mother, loving grand, great grand and great-great grandmother, was called to her Heavenly home at the age of 83.
Patricia Ann Harrell was born January 17, 1941, to Leroy and Violet (English) Harrell. Patricia was proud to have a large family, one of sixteen siblings that included 10 girls and 6 boys! She learned early in life about cooking for a crowd. She was known far and wide for her excellent skills in the kitchen.
On June 1, 1958, Patricia was united in marriage to Bobby Dean Hough, her handsome Army Man and became Patricia Ann Hough for her remaining years. They were married at the Hough Store on Hwy 64, just outside of Lebanon. A favorite wedding photo is one of the two newlyweds beside the gas pump. Patricia and Bob had two ‘Army Brats’ right away, Jerry Don and Terry Lynn. After his term was fulfilled, they quickly added two more to the family, Deborah Arlene and Timothy Dean! Now the Hough Family was completed in just 4 years and one month to the day they were a loving family of 6.
Patricia was a dedicated homemaker raising the children. What a blessing to be greeted by Patricia, their mother, every day after school. She always prepared a home-made delicious meal including dessert. The family enjoyed these special meals gathered around the table every night. In their first home at 410 Clark Street, they never spent a night with just the family for over a full year!
Patricia and Bob purchased the family business, Hough Lumber Company from Bob’s father Ulyes Hough and the family lived many years on the farm at the bottom of the Oakland Hill. Patricia was swift to hop down to the sawmill and answer phones, prepare tickets and even took on the company payroll. On occasion she would make trips to Springfield to purchase parts for the mill and the four Hough kids were thrilled to have the treat of a Big Mac for dinner!
In 1976, Patricia and Bob decided to fulfill a dream they had imagined. They did research, visited locations and spent hours at the kitchen table drawing up plans on paper. Once they were happy with the plan, together they made their dream to build a Log Cabin a reality. Each log was sawn at Hough Lumber Company and stacked and soon the cabin was finished. Lake Pomme de Terre became a weekend destination for many years. Patricia and Bob’s Log Cabin was the landing place for an abundance of family and friends. It was filled with laughter, fun, and many precious memories were created.
Patricia was most happy when she had her home filled with family and friends. She was always ready to have company with outstretched arms welcoming with hugs and her lap was always ready to pile on the kids. Every child loved ‘Nan’! She was just a baby-magnet so to speak. She could calm any baby or child; she was blessed with a special gift with children. She was especially happy when grandkids, great grandkids and great-great grandkids arrived. She would always have the perfect snacks and her famous “Nanny Bread”, delicious homemade sourdough bread the family was always ready to devour!! Individuals near and far always looked to Patricia for advice for homes, cooking, raising children and so much more.
Patricia was known for her beautiful hair, her fun-loving heart and her photography. One of her Bald Eagle photos was even published in Missouri Conservation Magazine. Also, one of her videos, “Cardinals in the Snow” went world-wide! YouTube even wanted to purchase it from her! She loved all things nature including birds, squirrels and swans, but she especially loved the Wild Horses in Eminence, Missouri. Her love of nature was only surpassed by her love for family and friends. She could cast her spell on small children and babies with some dubbing her ‘the baby whisperer’!
She was a huge St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. If they were playing, she was watching. She also just might out fish ya!
In 1986, Bob built Patricia’s earth home she had always wanted. Patricia feared storms and knew with her design on the earth home she could go to sleep and have no worries. Bob had only one input and that was to add a 3rd bathroom off the garage where, when he came in soiled from the sawmill, he could stop there and throw his laundry in the washer! Otherwise, the home was by design-Patricia’s dream. For the last 38 years they have planted, added and shaped their place into a ‘Natures Haven’. A place so welcoming you never want to leave.
Patricia was proud to be a Member of the South Highway 5, Church of Christ in Lebanon for over 50 years! She had an unwavering relationship with God and the church. She was a devout Christian and stood steadfast in her beliefs. In her early years Patricia would be seen going to Dove Senior Home with her lady’s group and washing everyone’s hair and styling it. She would take her kids with her, so it was normal for them to see her modeling her nature to care for the elderly. She was always cooking for those in need or that had suffered a loss. Again, the Hough Kids witnessed in their mother her compassion for those that are hurting or hungry. What an example to have had growing up with such a motherly example!
Patricia’s love for life was extraordinary. She fought passionately for it after she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She fought the good fight and finished the course.
Patricia was the anchor to her family leaving a beautiful legacy of love over her 83 years. Nan and PaPa’s home was like Grand Central Station, as it was always full of people and is considered the hub of the family.
Patricia was preceded in death by her father Leroy Harrell and her mother Violet Harrell. By her eldest son, Jerry Don Hough. Also, by siblings, Devon, Kenneth, Ruby, Herbert, Lorena, Loren, Daisy, Thelma, Wanda, Druscilla and Billy.
Patricia is survived by her loving husband Bobby Dean Hough; loving daughter Terry Lynn Evans and husband Harvey, loving daughter Deborah Arlene Cantrell and husband Kevin; loving son Timothy Dean Hough; loving daughter-in-law Annette (Hough) King and husband Mark; loving grandkids, Heather, Jason, Trindle, Ricardo, Eric, Tricia, Kyla, Leah, Monica, Chris and Justin; Special Foreign Grandkids Tobi (Germany), Yulia (Russia), Kateryna (Ukraine); loving great-grandkids, Trenton, Trevor, Alex, Eli, Gretchen, Ryelynn, Rayah, Jaxon, Miley, LaTaeah, Luella, ImanTae, Jagger, Savannah, Jackson, Zoey, Melody, Charlie and Abigail; four loving great-great-grandkids, Lennon, Luke, Mahala and Jamie on-the-way.
She is also survived by loving siblings, Marilyn Moore, Brenda Edson, Bobby Dale Harrell and Kathy Turney.
Flowers welcomed as she was known for her love of beautiful flowers. Another option is a donation honoring Patricia to Fair Haven Children’s Home (3132 N. Fair Haven Loop, Strafford, MO 65757-417-862-6675)
Funeral service for Patricia Ann (Harrell) Hough “Nan” was held Monday, October 28, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel.
There was a visitation on Sunday, October 27, 2024, at 2:00 P.M., also at Shadel’s Colonial Chapel.
Burial was at Lone Rock Cemetery in Windyville, Missouri, following the funeral service on Monday.
Arrangements are under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel of Lebanon. Sign guest book at www.shadelscolonialchapel.com.
