Patsy Ruth Vawter

Patsy Ruth Vawter Naganbekwe – “Woman who sits out front” (Matriarch) Patsy Ruth Vawter, 96, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025. She was born June 20th, 1928 to Ora Vester “Pat” and Viola Pettifer in Dierk’s, Arkansas. Patsy was preceded in death by her husband, Johnnie Paul Vawter, her parents, sisters, Lorene Richardson and Nina Jo White, her son, Robert “Pete” Pittman, daughters, Priscilla “Penny” Weaver and Paula Rose, and a great-great granddaughter, Jasyln Joelle Cooke. Patsy was a very proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribe of Shawnee, OK. She is a descendent of the Pettifer ‘s which is one of the original tribal families. Her Potawatomi name is Naganbekwe, “woman who sits out front” honoring her place as the matriarch of our family. Patsy lived 51 years of her life in her beloved Penasquitos home in San Diego, California. Due to her dementia, she lived the last 5 years in Virginia with her daughter and son-in law. Patsy is survived by daughters Phyllis Hurlock, Peggy Hurlock, and Jane “TeeCee” Vawter, her sisters Nelda Seever and Peggy Hill, grandchildren Sassy Cooke (Doug), Jeremy Pittman (Heather), J.J. Vogltanz (Pam), Cheree Hogan (Craig), Penelope Kocsis, Gary Hurlock, Jr. (Victoria), Angelika Jewell, April Davis, Lindsay Fare {Ryan}, Joshua Hurlock (Melissa), Cheyenne Hurlock and Paris Simmons, 29 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Patsy graduated from Palomar College in 1982 with a degree in Arts and as a certified Medical Assistant. She worked at Scripps Health until her retirement. She was also an active volunteer at the crisis pregnancy center “Life Choices” in Poway, California. Patsy was honored for her long-term service by the California Legislature. Her hobbies were gardening (she could grow anything) and traveling. Her children crossed the United States many times in the motor home, visiting family. Patsy attended Cornerstone Church in Poway, where she had many close friends and served in the quilt ministry, making personalized quilts for the ill or hospitalized church friends or family members. Her funeral will be at Oakland Baptist Church in Richardsville, Virginia, on Saturday, Mar 29th at 11:00 a.m., with visitation at the church an hour before the service. She will be buried in the Oakland Baptist Cemetery. A meal will be served after the service at Richardsville Volunteer Fire and Rescue. The family invites those unable to attend to view via livestream link https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTc0MjkzNTA2ODM1NTY0MyZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw== Pallbearers will be Jameson Vogltanz, Ryan Fare, Mason Fare, Craig Hogan, Dalton Cooke, Gary Hurlock, Jr., Joshua Hurlock, and Alex Hurlock. In Patsy’s memory and In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to Richardsville Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad, Inc. or Oakland Baptist Church’s “Second Mile Campaign” to replace their sanctuary windows.

Patsy Ruth Vawter

June 20, 1928 - March 25, 2025