Patsy Marie Bradley (Patt) passed away peacefully in Lebanon, Mo. on July 10, 2023, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Wilbur (Brad); infant son, Richard; parents Theodore Watt and Beth Watt Cox; and brothers Louis, Robert and Richard Watt.
She is survived by her daughters Sherri Starr, and husband John of Cotuit, Mass., and Lesli Scott and husband Mark of Lebanon; her beloved grandchildren Bradley Bare and his wife Hannah of Manchester, Mo; Dr. Tyler Bare and fiancé Rachael Morris of Springfield, Mo.; Matthew Scott of Lebanon; three nieces and one nephew, and her treasured cat Morris. She is also survived by her fantastic team of caregivers who provided support, comfort and love to her for many years: Tracy Hicks, Lynn Lewis, Pam Allee, Loretta Ruth, Diane Sellers and Marlene Davis.
Patt was born in Wichita, Kan. and moved to Noel, Mo. as a child. She graduated from Noel High School in 1949 and married Wilbur on May 19, 1950.
After her children were grown, she returned to Missouri State University and graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, Cum Laude. She was an elected member of the National English Honor Society Sigma Tau Delta.
She taught reading in the Stoutland school district and tutored reading in Lebanon. She was passionate about teaching children to read.
She was an active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Her articles regarding the life of Rose Wilder Lane, daughter to author Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Juanita Flower Donnelly, wife of Phil Donnelly, Governor of Missouri in 1945, were published in the AAUW’s Missouri Women’s History Project books “Show Me Missouri Women: Selected Biographies” in 1989.
Patsy loved to read and was on the board of the Lebanon-Laclede County Library for many years. She was a member of First United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. She enjoyed dancing, gardening, traveling, playing bridge with friends, and spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was a kind, generous person, and a loving mother and grandmother.
A private memorial service will be held in Pineville, Mo. at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Project 360 Youth Services, The Sound House, P.O. Box 741, Lebanon, Mo. 65536 or the American Heart Association at www.heart.org
Arrangements are under the direction of Shadel’s Colonial Chapel of Lebanon. Sign guest book at www.shadelscolonialchapel.com.
