Obituary for Patricia Burritt

Ponca City Now - October 16, 2014 12:00 am

Patricia Ruthelma McFarlin Burritt, 83, died Monday, October 13th, at her home.

A funeral service will be held 10:00 am, Monday, October 20, 2014 at Trout Funeral Home Chapel in Ponca City with Chaplain Tom Howard officiating. Burial will follow at the Tonkawa Odd Fellows Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Patricia was born on December 16, 1930 in Ponca City, Oklahoma to Danube and Sue McFarlin. She graduated from the Union School of Ponca City in 1947 and joined the United States Army where she received medical training to become a nursing assistant.

Upon returning from her station in Japan, during the Korean War; she settled in Michigan, raised her four children, and devoted 20 years of service to the State of Michigan as a Nursing Supervisor.

Later in life, she decided to join the Army National Guard. During her time with the Guard, she advanced to Master Sergeant and became the first woman to achieve this rank in National Guard history.

After retiring from the State of Michigan and the military, she returned to Ponca City in 1992. During her retirement, she enjoyed raising livestock and gardening. She was also a member of The Church of Christ, a Chaplin with the Ponca City American Legion, and took great pride of being a volunteer Firefighter with the Ranch Drive Fire Department.

Patricia is survived by her three daughters; Kathleen Hawkins of San Diego, Dorinda Dodd of San Diego, and Teresa Cravens of Ponca City. Her brother, Ray McFarlin of Weatherford. Her five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Michael, and two sisters.

Source: Trout Funeral Home