Sandra Lynn Patterson

Sandra Lynn Patterson, 49, of Bella Vista, Ark., passed from this life Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010. She was born on Sept. 3, 1960, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Jerrold Clifford and Nancy Jo (Smith) Patterson.

The family lived in Shawnee and Overland Park, Kan., before moving to Ava, Mo., in 1971. On Thanksgiving Day 1973 they relocated to Fort Scott. Sandra began volunteer service as a "candy striper" at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott in 1974. She worked her 16th birthday as a Mercy employee in the Emergency Room with Sister Anna Mae. She graduated with the class of 1978 from Fort Scott High School.

She continued working at Mercy Hospital, while a student at Pittsburg State University, and graduated in 1982 with a B.S. Degree in Nursing. She practiced in Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. Since moving to Bella Vista, Sandy has worked as a Nursing Supervisor for Vista Health Behavioral Medicine and Psychological Services, Fayetteville, Ark. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Bella Vista, Ark.

She is survived by her parents, Cliff and Nancy Patterson, of Fort Scott; four sisters, Sharon McGaughey of Pollock Pines, Calif., Brenda DeKeno and husband, Don of Pea Ridge, Ark., Deborah Allen and husband Tim, of Fort Scott, Laura Soliday and husband, Daniel, of Kansas City, Mo.; Aunt Darlene Patterson Radke and husband, Elmer of Ferndale, Wash.; Aunt Rozann Crowder Patterson of Kissimmee, Fla.; two nieces; 10 nephews; two great-nieces; two great-nephews, and many cousins.

Memorial services will be held 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 17, at the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista, Ark.

The Rev. Paul Babcock will conduct graveside services 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 18, at the Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Scott. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Bella Vista, 20 Boyce Drive, Bella Vista, AR 72715, or left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS, 66701.

Online condolences may be e-mailed to expressions@konantz-cheney.com.