Obituary for Letha “Pat” Mae Gilham Pratt, KS – Letha Mae “Pat” Gilham, 99, passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at Southwind Home in Pratt. She was born June 9, 1919, in Iuka, KS, to Lloyd F. And Susie Belle (Rowe) Patton. On July 27, 1941, she married Conard D. Gilham in Pratt.
He passed away on August 3, 2003. Pat was a member of the First United Methodist Church and played in the bell choir. She was bookkeeper and chief assistant to her husband Conard, helping him build his successful New York Life insurance business.
They traveled the world and were avid community volunteers. Service to others guided Pat’s life. She spent many hours assisting in the church office or wherever needed.
When the Southwind Hospice office needed her, she answered the call for filing and folding mailers. Her happiest days after Conard’s death were helping Paula White at the Southwind Thrift Shop. A picture many may recall is Pat working the cash register in her sparkly pink baseball hat.
Children held a special place in Pat’s heart. She loved helping young people who needed a hand up. For three years she anonymously paid for a high school girl’s dental work and braces.
Through church, she was a prayer partner with a group of energetic teens. They shared many fun times together. Pat also awarded scholarships to Pratt High School girls so they could earn college degrees.
Pat never sought recognition or thanks for her deeds because she gave from her heart, but the girls’ letters of appreciation certainly warmed her heart. Pat’s days at Southwind Home were spent visiting, working jigsaw puzzles, reading several books a week, and never missing her daily devotions. Her sharp wit and fun personality were always evident and will be dearly missed by family and friends.
She is survived by two nephews, Mike (Suzan) Patton of Pratt and Robin (Shelley) Patton of Pratt; a niece, Candy Hoop of Wichita; a very special great-niece, Stephanie Hoop Callihan of Austin, TX; niece, Connie Madigan of AL; a brother, Charles Lindy Patton of Pratt; and many other great-nieces and nephews whom she loved. Pat was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a brother, Weymeth Patton; a sister, Margarette Lou McManaman; and Candy’s husband, Kenneth Hoop; brother-in-law, Jack Gilham; and niece, Gayle Gilham Bland. Cremation has taken place.
Memorial Graveside service will be held at later date. Memorials may be made to Pratt Health Foundation and Pratt Public Library in care of Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt.
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