Rhea Anne Patterson

September 29, 1934 - January 19, 2021

Rhea Ann Mott was the 6th child born to Jesse and Florence Mott, in Strong City, Kansas. Rhea, and her identical twin Rita, were easy to care for, according to their mother, because they entertained each other and didn't fuss or require a lot of attention. Mom was number 6 of eleven children, growing up during the depression with a loving Mom and Dad. Her father was a baker by profession and worked long hours to be a good provider. And even though there were many mouths to feed, there was always food on the table. Mom had her first date with Dad after he had taken Mom's twin sister to the movies. Dad had gotten excited and was too loud for Rita's taste. Mom and Dad were married in 1952 and it wasn't long until two girls were born. Mom and Dad got to "grow-up" while Dad served in the army, living in various states and Germany. Joanne arrived and right away, Dad was stationed at Frankfurt, Germany. While there, Jeanette was born. Mom had a particularly hard time living so far away from her twin and her family for the first time in her life. But that hardship proved to be the seed of strength Mom needed to keep family together, first and foremost. Because family was very important to Rhea, her upbringing with her large loving family fostered a desire to keep in contact with the whole family. The fact that she was reared in a loving, caring family carried through to Rhea's family. Mom, like all military wives, held the family together during Dad's overseas tours. Mom made sure Jeanette and I were in church every Sunday and for all Holy Days of Obligation. One of her often quoted sayings was, " you can always move or change addresses, but you can only marry once". Another piece of advice we heard often was, "always pay your bills on time". Mom (and Dad) loved all animals, especially any pet cat or dog. When their oldest grandson Tyler was working toward his phD, Mom and Dad came to visit and we thought we'd show them the lab where Tyler was training lab rats to respond to audible stimuli. Mom and Dad proved their staunch admiration for all animals, because neither of them could bear seeing the lab rats in cages. Mom and Dad had several dogs over the years, but their last dog, Stormy, had some particular habits that most dogs don't have. For example, at 9:00 every night, Stormy would start barking for his bedtime treat of chocolate ice cream. That ice cream treat would typically be offered after an earlier dinner of spaghetti which had to be warmed and chopped. Mom never had much and I don't remember her ever asking for anything. When Dad wanted a different car, even though the current car was just purchased two weeks ago, she never objected.😃 Mom didn't believe in fighting a losing battle, so she wasn't bothered with housekeeping. But she did give every guest her undivided attention and she always offered something to eat and drink, multiple times -- if her offer wasn't accepted initially. Mom always cared about anyone who was down and out. She extended hospitality and whatever else was needed, helping to fill in the gaps. Mom then became a source of friendship and aide to many people over the years. She touched a lot of lives because of her accepting, non-conditional personality. Rhea never turned anyone away or made them feel small or unwanted. John 14:1-4 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place I am going." Psalm 121"I lift up my eyes to the mountains--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you--The Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm--he will watch over your life; the lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."