Patsy Hambelton, 62

Patsy Ann Hardgrave Hambelton, 62, of Theodosia, Mo, died peacefully at the family home on February 8, 2018.  She had battled cancer since May, 2016, but kept teaching until a few months before her death.  There will be a Celebration of Patsy's life with family and friends March 3 ^rd at 2:00 at Lilly Ridge Baptist Church, at Gainesville, Mo.

Born May 23, 1955 to Frank and Louise Hardgrave, Patsy grew up in Johnson County, AR. Patsy worked at a host of jobs, such as working in a dress shop, school bus driver, rural mail carrier, owned and operated a feed store before she decided to finish her teaching certification in the early 1990s. Patsy met her husband Bill after she started teaching at Metro Business College in Rolla, MO and they married in 1991. She continued her career at Phillips Junior College in Springfield, MO. Her public high school teaching career began at Pea Ridge, AR, then at Lutie, MO, then at Cotter, AR, and completed her career at Gainesville, MO, retiring in September of 2017.

She was very active in the Future Business Leaders of America and DECA. Patsy was always raising money for her student organizations, whether it was selling Krispy Kreme donuts or endless hours in a concession stand. She traveled the country with students from her organizations providing them opportunities beyond the classroom. Patsy had district and state officers in her sponsored organizations and was a well-respected and loved adviser in both Arkansas and Missouri. She was also a professional member of PEO. She cared deeply about the welfare of her family, friends, and students alike.

Patsy is survived by her husband, Bill Hambelton, of Theodosia, her mother Louise Hardgrave, of Hagarville, Arkansas; sister Sharon Morris, of Hot Springs, Arkansas; sons Zachary Hambelton, of Theodosia; Shawn Freeman of Oklahoma; and daughter Andrea Caygill and her husband David Caygill of Collinsville, Oklahoma; grandson Jade Brewer, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and granddaughter Taylor Caygill, of Collinsville, Oklahoma.  And a host of in-laws, nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Patsy was preceded in death by her father, Frank Hardgrave Jr. and her in-laws, Bill and Fern Hambelton.

In lieu of flowers, Patsy requested a scholarship fund be established in her name at Century Bank of the Ozarks.  Donations may be sent to Century Bank of the Ozarks, PO Box 68, Gainesville, Mo, 65655.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Gainesville.