Pat Blakely

Patsy Ruth Ebright Blakely “Pat” was born on September 2, 1930, in Blackwell, Oklahoma. She went to be with our Lord on Christmas morning, 2024, three days after her 74th wedding anniversary.

Pat was the oldest of three sisters born to Eunice and Ervin Ebright. She grew up in Blackwell, an oil and gas “feast or famine community.”  Pat attended St. Anthony’s School of Nursing in Oklahoma City and while there met the love of her life, Thurston A. Blakely, Jr.  Pat had her cap and gown for Nursing but quit school 2 days shy of graduation to marry on December 23, 1950. They wed at Ft. Lee in Virginia, where Thurston was stationed in the Army.

Soon after, they found themselves in Verdun, France where their twin boys were born. When traveling to Europe, the Army doctors insisted she take a physical, which indicated twins.  No one had mentioned “that” - wow!  She got on the cargo plane and was strapped on a gurney for the overnight flight.  She arrived in Europe with no passport and boarded a train bound for France and with luck made it all the way there safely.

Eighteen months later, a daughter was born in Germany. Three kids within 18 months, in Europe, with no family to help.  Strong and capable Pat!

Upon returning to the United States, they settled in Norman, Oklahoma for Thurston to finish his degree. After his graduation, they found their family moving around Texas, New Mexico, and Georgia with Sears.

Pat survived moving every 2-3 years and finally settled in Plano. She was a beautiful young mother.  She was an exceptional cook and seamstress. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, her houseplants, making photo albums, crafting, and entertaining her family. Her family and her faith were her treasures. Her grandsons to this day remember when she greeted them, she always asked: “How are you doing”.  She worked in many places; libraries, doctors’ offices, and as a volunteer at Presbyterian Hospital Plano and was honored as a 15-year volunteer. She was an active member of the church wherever she lived. The most current was Christ United Methodist Church, Plano, Texas.

Pat is survived by her three children, Neil Blakely and his wife Marilyn, Bill Blakely and his wife Susan, and Barbara Blakely James and her husband Jay, 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and her sister Judy. What a legacy!  She was preceded in death by her treasured husband, her parents and her beloved sister, Sally Morrill.

Special thanks to all that stayed connected and devoted to Pat during her battle with dementia. Appreciation to Arden Court Memory Care of Richardson for their excellent care, and a huge thanks to Pathway Hospice.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate her life at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Christ United Methodist Church.