Patsy Grace Stroud

Patsy Grace Stroud entered this world on July 6, 1943, one of 13 children born to Fred and Alma (Gardner) Harmon. Born in Hixson, Tennessee, Patsy grew up with strong southern roots before the family moved out west to Oregon in 1957. She became a mother to two sons and two daughters and kissed a few frogs before finally meeting her prince charming, and this is where her fairy tale begins. Patsy married Terry Lewis Stroud on February 14, 1981, in Carson City, Nevada, and they lived happily ever after. Patsy and Terry blended their families beautifully and created a legacy of love and commitment to pass down to their children, grandchildren, and generations to follow. Patsy’s number one passion was her family. She loved being a mother and her heart overflowed as she became a grandmother and great-grandmother. Spending time with her family brought her endless joy and Patsy was happiest when she was with her grandchildren. Keeping a tidy and welcoming home and caring well for her family was important to Patsy. She loved to cook for everyone and cherished the time spent with her grandkids in the kitchen, passing down her special recipes and southern cooking skills. One of Patsy’s favorite meals was a pot of beans and corn bread cooked in her cast iron pans, southern comfort food at its best. The family enjoyed camping together, especially at Fisherman’s Bend, and Patsy was quite the prepared camper. She would spend hours before the trip prepping all the food, making sure things were cut and ready for cooking. Patsy would be up bright and early, starting the campfire to brew coffee and cook bacon over the fire in a cast iron skillet, signaling the rest of the family to rise and shine. The outdoors was such a place of peace for Patsy and she loved the time she spent with family around a fire in the woods.One of Patsy and Terry’s favorite things to do together was taking scenic drives. They loved to drive through the mountains or to the beach, one of Patsy’s favorite places to be, anywhere just to spend time together enjoying nature. Not only did she keep a beautiful home inside, but Patsy also kept immaculate gardens and flower beds in her yard. She enjoyed time spent outside working the soil and cultivating her plants. As Patsy’s health deteriorated over the last several years, it broke her heart to be unable to work in the yard and be outside. Year round she would have windows and doors open so she could see and smell outside and listen to the comforting sound of the rain. Patsy loved the Lord and was a devoted Christian, serving at churches she attended and teaching the kids in Sunday school about Jesus. She lived out her faith every day, choosing joy always and serving those around her with love. Patsy had an incredible smile that could light up a room, and even in her suffering she kept smiling. She was full of spunk and always spoke her mind, honest almost to a fault, not one to overlook or sugar coat what she knew you needed to hear. Because of the way she lived her life and loved those around her, there was nothing left unsaid when the Lord decided to take her home. On December 17, 2020, surrounded by family, Patsy left her physical life on earth and was welcomed into the waiting arms of her Savior. Patsy was preceded in death by her parents and most of her siblings. She will be deeply missed by those that were blessed to love her including her prince charming of almost 40 years, Terry, and her blended family of children and stepchildren, in-laws, and lots of beloved grandkids and great grandkids.