Funeral service for Patsy Ruth Holcomb will be 2:00 P.M. Friday, September 4, 2020 in the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel. The family requests that those in attendance wear a mask.

Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Patsy Ruth Holcomb, age 79, of Lawton, passed away Friday, August 28, 2020 at her home. She was born February 23, 1941 in Lawton, Ok.  She was born to Rawson and Hester Sheppard.  She was an only child for 8 years until she was blessed with her younger brothers, Ernest Sheppard and Wayne Sheppard. Her parents purchased 160 acres, and built the home where she grew up on the farm alongside her horse, Trigger. As a child she loved spending time with her grandmother Ruth Eckhart and her close cousin Jerry. They were always getting into trouble but Nanny, as we called her, never minded and she rarely ever told.  She began playing piano at the early age of 5 and was so accomplished that by the time she was ready for college, she was able to obtain a full tuition scholarship in Piano Pedagogy at Oklahoma City University. Farm life developed her into the very hard working, strong, and independent woman we all know and love. It has never been said that Patsy was shy. She had never met a stranger and would talk to anyone and everyone. Holidays were always celebrated with the whole family and that tradition still exists.

During her high school years, she was very active in choir and graduated from Lawton High in 1959. She competed in the Miss Lawton pageant her senior year, placing first runner up. She won the Miss Lawton pageant in 1960, which sent her on to the Miss Oklahoma Competition, where she placed in the top 5. She stayed two years at OCU and was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. It is there that she formed the lifelong friendships that carried her through life. She then finished her Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Oklahoma.  She enjoyed a long career as an elementary music teacher and many students still remember what a great teacher she was. She was a very accomplished pianist and could play anything that was put in front of her, but she also had a great ear for just playing along.  Patsy was able to purchase a Steinway Piano later in life which was her pride and joy. She was well known for her school wide Christmas performances every year many she often wrote herself. For many years she was the organist/pianist and choir director at many churches. It was at the First United Methodist Church that she met Larry Holcomb, the love of her life.  They were married for 32 years until his death in 2009.

They had 6 children and she loved to refer to them as his, hers, and ours;  Robert Holcomb, David Dudley, Laurie Brobst, Laura Ousley, Matthew Dudley and Amy Alford. They have 15 grandchildren, 3 about to be and 4 great-grandchildren. They purchased their own 20 acres and built and designed their dream home together. They had horses, chickens, sheep, ducks, pigs, and a 1 very mean rooster. Their life was very content and happy raising their children and being on the farm. During this time, they had a travel trailer and started camping with friends and family.

In 1989 Larry took a transfer with his job and they began a new chapter living in northwest Arkansas and Texas before eventually retiring back in Lawton. The two decided to make the move to OKC to be closer to kids and grandkids in 2004. It was the day after they moved into their home that a tornado wiped out the house. While this seemed unfortunate, Larry and Patsy had a way of putting a positive spin on most things. They were able to completely rebuild the house exactly how they wanted it. After Larry's passing, Patsy moved back to Lawton once again, her home, for the rest of her life.  Patsy was very well cared for by her youngest daughter Amy Alford and husband Dave for the past 4 years. Patsy was loved by many, and was so blessed to have her large family surround her throughout her life. Her loving spirit and joyful praise when she would sit at the piano are just a few of the things that will be missed. However, we can all take great comfort in knowing that she is pain free and rejoicing and singing again with Larry in a much happier place.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.