Patti Jo (Jeter) Elder was born on August 15, 1928 at St. Anthony Hospital to Jo and Hugh Gilbert Jeter. It is no coincidence that she shared a birthday with Napoleon and Julia Child. She died at home on May 18, 2017 with the knowledge that she was loved and adored by her family.
She attended Wilson Elementary School, Harding Junior High School, Classen High School, Smith College and graduated from the University of Oklahoma where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. It was over the back fence of the Theta house that she spotted John Elder, a member of Sigma Alpha Epilson. They were married in 1951 and had four children, Ben (Carrie Christine); Pete (Diane); Lisa and Emily Pilcher (Tiger) and four grandchildren, Lauren Elder, Anna Elder, Sophie and Grace Pilcher.
She was a feisty mama bear (clean your room, eat your vegetables, be home by midnight), a strict taskmaster (why do you think the rules don't apply to you?) and a doting grandmother (yes you can have candy before dinner). Being the daughter of a doctor, she thought she was one too and dispensed medical advice freely and authoritatively. She always had the answers and it wasn't until recently her children discovered her answers weren't necessarily right! John always said she was sometimes mistaken but never in doubt. According to Patti "if you are going to be loud be right," "you live by the sword you die by the sword" and "you didn't mean not to"... Her best cooking advice: don't cook with your drawers open.
Patti was devoted to John throughout their 64-year marriage including his long struggle with Alzheimer's. Although his interests were her interests (geology, golf, snow skiing, fly fishing and fly tying), make no mistake, she did her own thing -- gourmet cooking, birdwatching, sewing, needlepoint, gardening and knitting. She was known for her baby booties, toe socks and golf club covers. They also shared the love of their dachshunds – Max, Otto, Klaus, Gelandesprung, Bailey and Einstein.
Patti was a past member of the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club and Ladies Golf Association, Queensbury Dinner Club, Coterie, the Junior League of Oklahoma City, Tuesday Book Club, the Altar Guild of All Souls' Episcopal Church (serving as Directress in 1979), Mobile Meals and the Oklahoma City Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta.
Once their children were raised, Patti and John pursued their love of fly fishing in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and New Zealand. They shared this passion with their friends, children and grandchildren during trips to Colorado, Idaho and New Mexico creating many fond memories, lots of fish stories and a love of the outdoors.
The family would like to thank Norma Lennox, Laura Lynn's Home Health Care (especially Eme, Antoinette, Sarah and Camisha), the clergy of All Souls' Episcopal Church for their help these past two years and Sooner Hospice. Also, thanks to Bobby Clark for his advice and counsel during her coiffures.
Those who have been in our lives here on earth will now be in our hearts forever. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. We are so blessed and grateful to have Mom in our hearts forever and a treasure chest full of memories!
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to All Souls' Episcopal Church, 6400 N Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, OK 73116; the Alzheimer's Association Oklahoma, 2448 East 81st Street, Suite 3000, Tulsa, OK 74137; Gladney Center for Adoption, 6300 John Ryan Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76132 or the charity of your choice.
The Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 26th, at All Souls' Episcopal Church, 6400 N Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, OK 73116.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors.
2 Entries
May 25, 2017
Gala Marshall
I know we're all mortal, and our time on earth is limited. But I always thought that in Patti Jo's case, an exception would be made.
May 21, 2017
Pete Elder
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