Patricia “Pattie” Kay Archer

Patricia “Pattie” Kay Archer, 70, of Amarillo, TX was welcomed by Jesus on July 24, 2023.

Services will be at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Central Church of Christ Chapel, 1401 S. Monroe, with Kyle Wade and Jim Cockrell officiating. Private burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Pattie was born in Kansas City, Missouri on April 2, 1953, to Ralph and June Kinnett. She was the oldest of four siblings and did not shy away from her role as firstborn, earning the nickname of “The Boss” from her sisters and brother over the years. She graduated from Raytown South High School in 1971. On May 9, 1969, she went on a first date to see Romeo and Juliet with a young man she met at church. She and Kelly knew quickly after that they had each found the one. Pattie attended

Oklahoma Christian College and studied nursing, but after Kelly made numerous trips to visit her at school, she decided to move back to Raytown so they could begin their life together. She married her soul mate on June 9, 1973.

Pattie and Kelly moved to Arlington, TX, in the fall of 1973. There they met their lifelong best friends, Jim and Melody, at Woodland West Church of Christ when they all worked the children’s Bible Hour. These couple of friends spent many nights eating together and playing cards and often traveling together. While in Arlington, their family grew with the birth of their daughters, Jennifer and Janna. In the summer of 1980, the family moved to Amarillo for a new job opportunity for Kelly. As they drove to their new city late one night, Pattie was not sure what to think of this area filled with such few trees and a flat landscape. However, s

he quickly fell in love with this place and made it her home for the rest of her life.

They found their church home at Central Church of Christ and formed a village in which they could raise their kids. Many of these friendships began in 1980 and have continued as these couples are now living the grandparent life. Numerous class parties, supper clubs, and trips solidified these friendships. While the girls were young, she taught evening lamaze classes for many years. She served as a teacher and as a director for Central’s Mother’s Day Out. She volunteered for anything that was needed at Amarillo Christian School when the girls were there. After staying home for many years to raise her kids, Pattie started working as a receptionist and office manager for several different doctors. She never finished her nursing degree, but she found ways to gently care for others in this role.

She and Kelly beg

an volunteering for the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Northwest Texas Hospital, serving families as they stayed at their child’s bedside. This volunteering led Pattie to her next job at the Ronald McDonald House of Amarillo where she worked as an administrative assistant. Pattie was the coordinator of the House’s fundraiser pro-am golf tournament. Taking care of the details, working with the country club’s golf pro, and making sure it ran smoothly every year were things in which she took great pride. She loved working with Jan, Sally, and DeAnn, and the House was filled with laughter, hugs, and tears as they took care of families in very hard situations. These ladies weren’t just coworkers–they were wonderful friends.

In the summer of 2015, Pattie began working in the office for Denman Building Products. It’s difficult to describe what her title there was. Officially, she was an administrative assistant. Unoffically, she was the office greeter, organizer, errand runner, food orderer, and in her mind some days, the boss. Her actual boss was David, but

theirs was not the typical boss/employee relationship. They joked together and laughed much, and she harassed him like she did her sons-in-law. This job allowed her the freedom and flexibility to be available for more of her grandkids’ activities, whether that be athletic events, academic ceremonies, school plays, class parties, or delivering lunch. Her time at Denmans was incredibly special, and she brought joy to everyone she worked with.

She was Gram to the McGary and the Wade kids, and she was also Gram to all her grandkids’ friends. Being Gram was the role she relished the most. Her grandkids were some of her most precious treasures, and she was incredibly intentional with each of them. Whatever they were doing, she wanted to be a part of it. Whatever they loved, she wanted to support however she could. It would probably be impossible to count the number of miles she traveled to be with them–Lubbock, Abilene, DFW, Houston, Oklahoma City, Denver, Albuquerque, Kansas City, Round Rock, and Phoenix were all places she went to cheer for them. She knew their favorite things, she knew their likes and dislikes. More than anything, she just wanted to be with them. She was so proud of their accomplishments, but more than that she was proud of who they were and the impact they were making on others. She will continue to be their biggest cheerleader and remind

them to “have fun, play hard, do your best, and use your legs” in whatever they are doing. Each grandchild had their own relationship with her, and it’s safe to say that each of them has some of her very best qualities. She loved making memories with them from the everyday things to the great big experiences. Trips to Six Flags, Disney, and Universal were the first big family vacations, but over the last several years she and Kelly loved taking the whole family on cruises. Every person could find their own adventure during the day, then gather for dinner each evening and share stories. She loved taking everyone to all these new places and only having to unpack one time.

Pattie truly lived and truly loved. She loved Kelly more than anything. She chose him every day and was proud to be his wife. Sometimes he would tell stories that weren’t always accurate, and she would make sure whether by rolling her eyes or correcting him out loud that the listeners learned the true version of events. She loved all of their travels, and they traveled until she just could not travel anymore. She loved planning the trips, she loved going new places, and she loved coming back to tell everyone about them. Her friends affectionately referred to her as

the “happiest loser” in Las Vegas as she hardly ever won at her penny and nickel slots. She celebrated Kelly and her friends’ winnings like she would have her own.  She fought bravely so that she could celebrate her and Kelly’s 50th wedding anniversary. It was a milestone that seemed unreachable in March, yet she found the strength to do it.

She persevered through many health obstacles including both kidney and breast cancer and came out victorious. She was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy-Cerebellar Subtype on July 12, 2021, and she battled that disease with great courage, humor, and grace even as her body and its systems continued to fail her. She won her battle with MSA-C when Jesus called her to Heaven.

More than anything Pattie created and left a faith legacy for her family and friends. She loved the Lord and she radiated His goodness to everyone around her. From when she was fully abled until moments before she passed away, she was making a difference in the lives and hearts of others. She was a confidant and trusted friend to

so many. Her example of a life well lived and a life of service for Christ is one that will live on in Kelly, the girls, and their husbands, and her incredible grandkids.

She was preceded in death by her dad, Ralph Kinnett.

Survivors include her husband, Kelly, of the home; daughter Jennifer and husband Kyle of Amarillo; daughter Janna and husband Brad of Abilene; grandchildren Morgan, Brock, Ellee, and Brooks Wade of Amarillo, Chloe McGary of Abilene, and Landon Helzer and wife Three of Forney; her mom, June Kinnett of Lone Jack, MO; sister Nancy and husband Doug of North Richland Hills; brother Ray and wife Karen of Lone Jack, MO; sister Debbie and husband Randy of Blue Springs, MO; her in-laws, Coleman and Alice Archer of Euless; sister-in-law Kerri Pennington of North Richland Hills; brother-in-law Kevin Archer of Tampa, FL; and multiple nieces and nephews.

The family would like to especially thank Abide Senior Care for their tender care of Pattie over the last 18 months. Casee, Kennedy, Abby, Carmen, and CeCe were all ama

zing. High Plains Hospice helped assure that she was in no pain over the last several weeks.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to one of the following: Cancer Survivorship Center, 500 S. Taylor, Ste. 1060, Amarillo, TX, 79101 or online at https://hchfamarillo.org/

Hidden Falls Ranch, PO Box 136, Wayside, TX, 79094 or online at https://hiddenfallsranch.networkforgood.com/

Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, 166 Babcock Road, San Antonio, TX, 78201 or online at https://www.wildlife-rescue.org/donate/

The family will receive friends from 5:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M., Friday, July 28, 2023, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home.