Patricia Estella Ellard October 6, 1931 - February 23, 2013

Patricia Estelle Uselding Ellard, 81, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend went home to be with her Lord on February 23, 2013, after a brief illness.
Patricia was born to Leo and Irene Uselding on October 6, 1931, in Amarillo, Texas. Patricia moved with her family to Bethany in 1946, graduating from Bethany High School in 1949. Patricia married Paul Ellard, her high school sweetheart, in March 1951, just prior to Paul's deployment to Japan and Korea with the 45th Infantry Division. After Paul's return, the couple settled in Durant where their first two daughters were born. Soon after, the couple relocated to Bethany where two sons and a third daughter joined the family. Patricia and Paul lived in Bethany for 57 years, celebrating 61 years of marriage along the way.
Patricia was devoted to and extremely proud of her children and grandchildren. She counted it a privilege and a blessing to be a mother and homemaker. She and Paul were active members of Bethany Church of Christ where Patricia taught elementary Sunday school classes. She loved to draw and paint, and excelled at needle arts, much to the delight of those family and friends who were the grateful recipients of the gifts from her hands.
Patricia was predeceased by her loving husband and her sister, Carolyn Pullen.
Pat is survived by her children, Deborah (Mike) Harvey of Grand Junction, Colorado, Susan Ellard of Naples, Florida, Jon (Shelly Nowlin) Ellard of Edmond, Mark (Sandi) Ellard of Broken Arrow, and Amy (Will) Holloway of Oklahoma City, and fourteen grandchildren. Pat is also survived by her sister, Toni (Bill) Semple of Broken Arrow, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday, March 1 from 10 AM to 8 PM at Buchanan Funeral Service. A service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 1 at the same location. She will be laid to rest at Bethany Cemetery next to her husband Paul. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.