Patsy Lee Mewhinney Tarr, also known as “Dear”, Mom, Aunt Pat, Patty, and, for over 51 years, OMA, died in her home, wearing pink, with family near on October 30, 2024. She was born April 14, 1931, in Iola, Kansas, to Samual Monroe and Mildred Leota (Wheeler) Mewhinney.
As a child during the depression era, Patsy learned to live with little means, to laugh and love fully, and to know God in a personal way through her grandmother. Her family moved to Wichita when she was in 8th grade, and she spotted a good-looking boy- telling a friend that she was going to marry that one! Patsy graduated in 1949 from Planeview High School, and married that same fella, John B. Tarr, a year later, on April 29, 1950.
Patsy was first of all a mom, to Debi, Dickie Van, who died in 1953, Brenda, Penny, and John. Some things we remember about those early years- Debi remembers that she got in trouble at school (ok, more than once) and walked the few blocks home to find Mom waiting to be told “the truth” because she already knew. Roaming the neighborhood was encouraged, after all she could always “trill” us home, and the threat of a switch to our legs made us hurry to get there.
With 3 girls, Mom stretched the budget by making most of our clothes, identical for all when possible, including herself! Which led to Brenda and Penny getting to wear the same style of dress for years as each one was passed down! Penny thought John was lucky- new clothes all along! Another budget stretcher was her drafted gardeners- nieces, nephews, and friends were encouraged to dig weeds around the sod plugs in the new yard along with her kids. 25 cents for a 5 gallon bucket- after inspection and her stomping it down! If you drive by 715 Edgemoore in Mulvane, you will see the results of all that work!
She always had a “side hustle” to help make ends meet, such as helping Dad work a paper route, riding a bike as a messenger at Boeing because she was too petite to work as a riveter, tinting black and white photos for a photography studio, working at a family owned IGA grocery in various capacities, baking cakes and cinnamon rolls to sell out of her home, running a daycare, working at Hutch High in food service (where John said she worked to keep an eye on him), working at HCC in the Continuing Education department, and selling clothing in a boutique in Arkansas.
As we got older, our house became the gathering spot for us and our friends. Mom always had snacks, cinnamon rolls, pop, and a welcome for the gang. She became involved in our activities at school and at church, providing food, costumes, decorations, and transportation as needed. Friends in Mulvane and in Hutchinson remember her hospitality, her laugh, her sweet ways. As we had families of our own, Mom encouraged us to make our house the gathering spot for our own kids.
Patsy became Oma in 1973, when her first grandchild was born in Germany. Of course, that meant she and Dad had to make a trip overseas to see him, beginning the path of welcoming 14 grandchildren personally. The grandkids remember Oma teaching them to bake, reading books, singing on the porch swings, watching them in their sports and activities, playing games, having popcorn and movies in her big bed between her and Opa, sleeping on the floor beside her so she could reach out her hand to touch them in the night (and vice versa). As greats came along, she continued her loving interactions, playing games, and creating crafts up to even a few weeks ago.
A move to Bella Vista Arkansas in1994 fulfilled a dream of golfing every chance they got and becoming involved in a strong church, joining friends already there. Patsy was involved there as an elder’s wife, heading up several ministries such as an encouraging card ministry, mentoring young girls, mentoring young married couples (a continuation of their involvement with Marriage Encounter), and various other activities.
Patsy was a member of the Church of Christ, most recently at Windom Church of Christ, and serving in Sewing For the Master at Eastwood Church of Christ.
Patsy is survived by: daughters, Deborah Herndon (Rex) of Arkansas City, Brenda Graham (Kenny) of Hutchinson, and Penny Pearlman of Coral Springs, FL; son, John Tarr (Kelley) of Brooklet, GA, 14 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, John B. Tarr; son, Dickie Van Tarr; a granddaughter, Holly Jo Hadley; a great-granddaughter, Ava Marie Ehret; a brother, Richard Mewhinney, and a sister, JoAnn Ware.
Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Elliott Chapel, with son-in-law, Kenny Graham officiating. The service will be livestreamed and the stream will begin at 9:45 a.m. the day of the service.
Click here to view the service
Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. at the Mulvane Cemetery, Mulvane.
Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the family present from 6-8 p.m. with special sharing time starting about 7 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to Hospice and HomeCare of Reno County or Silver Maple Camp – Sewing For The Master, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.