Patsy Joyce Myrick Tonkel (Pat) passed from time to eternity in the early afternoon June 9th, 2011.
There will be a time for family visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday at Wells United Methodist Church, 2019 Bailey Avenue and the service will be at 10:30 a.m. A fellowship luncheon will follow the service. Graveside services will be at Floral Hills Cemetery in Gulfport at 5 p.m. Monday. Sebrell Funeral Home has charge.
Born in Heidelberg, Mississippi, Pat was a wife, mother, grandmother ("Bemi") and very special friend. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and earned her Medical Technology degree at Mobile Infirmary. She then worked in Gulfport, Mississippi where she met and married her husband of forty-three years, Keith Tonkel.
When Keith was transferred to Wells United Methodist Church in 1968, Pat came to serve with him and took a job at St. Dominic's Hospital. As children came along, she became a stay-at-home mom until they were grown. She returned to her career, working for Mississippi State Department of Health until her retirement about three years ago.
Always humble, she was a trusted confidant, an outstanding teacher for children and adults, a gifted pianist and organist, and was seen across the years as the "gray hair behind the organ" by the people of Wells.
Her ministry included years of service in the Children's Department at Wells, as leader of home study groups, church organist, pianist for Wednesday night Prayer Meeting, choir member, secretary of the Administrative Board, and steadfast "home base" for her husband's ministry.
In the eyes of many, Pat's most effective ministry was as a friend, counselor and encourager to countless individuals whose life journeys took them through the doors of that little church on Bailey Avenue.
Pat Tonkel was great (a neurotic Perfectionist) with sewing and loved her high tech machines. In fact, in regards to computers and other technical equipment, she loved all that sort of thing.
Even as she grew more and more ill as a result of a brain tumor, she longed to "get back to her yard." Her brother, Ron Myrick, summed it up well for us all when he said, "She was the best woman I ever knew, and my wife agrees."
Pat Tonkel was a genuinely good,decent,caring, and loving human being.
Mourning her passing is her husband Keith, their children Tracy (Jeff), Shelley, Anthony, and now Ricky, her brother, Ron Myrick (Tricia), her sister, Margie Prine, nephew, Jay Myrick (Kristen)"Granddaddy" Earl Hill and grandsons, Porter, Carson, and Griffin, ("My boys," she would say) along with countless other family, dear friends and church family.
Always a grateful, independent, quiet, private, and 'background' person, she hated that her illness put others out, and was always "sorry " for it. In truth, all who loved her counted it as a privilege to care for her.
Her last days were marked by illness and pain, and she began to share with her loved ones, that "it was time to go home." She said to her friend Sara, "It's time to go, and I'm in a hurry." Her dear friends were at her bedside as she passed. Other family members had just left the room, and she chose to leave then, we believe, so that no family member would feel badly about not having been there when the time came. That was Pat's spirit—she was selfless in all things—even her own death.
We are all poorer for the loss of this unique and special human being. We mourn her death, but are thankful for her healing and peace—at long last.
Our special thanks to that amazing community of believers who are Wells Church, her dear friend Lorene Nevels, Dr. Ruth Fredricks, Dr. Anne Whitehurst, the staff of St. Dominic's and Hospice Ministries, and to each and of you who prayed for, stayed with, brought food to, and offered many wonderful and loving gifts to Pat and us all.
Pat Tonkel never failed to say "Thank you." And now we say the same for the amazing gift of sharing life with her.
The family requests that any memorials in lieu of flowers be sent to Wells Church, 2019 Bailey Avenue Jackson, MS 39213 or to the donor's favorite charity.
Published in Clarion Ledger on June 12, 2011.
There will be a time for family visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday at Wells United Methodist Church, 2019 Bailey Avenue and the service will be at 10:30 a.m. A fellowship luncheon will follow the service. Graveside services will be at Floral Hills Cemetery in Gulfport at 5 p.m. Monday. Sebrell Funeral Home has charge.
Born in Heidelberg, Mississippi, Pat was a wife, mother, grandmother ("Bemi") and very special friend. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and earned her Medical Technology degree at Mobile Infirmary. She then worked in Gulfport, Mississippi where she met and married her husband of forty-three years, Keith Tonkel.
When Keith was transferred to Wells United Methodist Church in 1968, Pat came to serve with him and took a job at St. Dominic's Hospital. As children came along, she became a stay-at-home mom until they were grown. She returned to her career, working for Mississippi State Department of Health until her retirement about three years ago.
Always humble, she was a trusted confidant, an outstanding teacher for children and adults, a gifted pianist and organist, and was seen across the years as the "gray hair behind the organ" by the people of Wells.
Her ministry included years of service in the Children's Department at Wells, as leader of home study groups, church organist, pianist for Wednesday night Prayer Meeting, choir member, secretary of the Administrative Board, and steadfast "home base" for her husband's ministry.
In the eyes of many, Pat's most effective ministry was as a friend, counselor and encourager to countless individuals whose life journeys took them through the doors of that little church on Bailey Avenue.
Pat Tonkel was great (a neurotic Perfectionist) with sewing and loved her high tech machines. In fact, in regards to computers and other technical equipment, she loved all that sort of thing.
Even as she grew more and more ill as a result of a brain tumor, she longed to "get back to her yard." Her brother, Ron Myrick, summed it up well for us all when he said, "She was the best woman I ever knew, and my wife agrees."
Pat Tonkel was a genuinely good,decent,caring, and loving human being.
Mourning her passing is her husband Keith, their children Tracy (Jeff), Shelley, Anthony, and now Ricky, her brother, Ron Myrick (Tricia), her sister, Margie Prine, nephew, Jay Myrick (Kristen)"Granddaddy" Earl Hill and grandsons, Porter, Carson, and Griffin, ("My boys," she would say) along with countless other family, dear friends and church family.
Always a grateful, independent, quiet, private, and 'background' person, she hated that her illness put others out, and was always "sorry " for it. In truth, all who loved her counted it as a privilege to care for her.
Her last days were marked by illness and pain, and she began to share with her loved ones, that "it was time to go home." She said to her friend Sara, "It's time to go, and I'm in a hurry." Her dear friends were at her bedside as she passed. Other family members had just left the room, and she chose to leave then, we believe, so that no family member would feel badly about not having been there when the time came. That was Pat's spirit—she was selfless in all things—even her own death.
We are all poorer for the loss of this unique and special human being. We mourn her death, but are thankful for her healing and peace—at long last.
Our special thanks to that amazing community of believers who are Wells Church, her dear friend Lorene Nevels, Dr. Ruth Fredricks, Dr. Anne Whitehurst, the staff of St. Dominic's and Hospice Ministries, and to each and of you who prayed for, stayed with, brought food to, and offered many wonderful and loving gifts to Pat and us all.
Pat Tonkel never failed to say "Thank you." And now we say the same for the amazing gift of sharing life with her.
The family requests that any memorials in lieu of flowers be sent to Wells Church, 2019 Bailey Avenue Jackson, MS 39213 or to the donor's favorite charity.
Published in Clarion Ledger on June 12, 2011.
Patsy Joyce Myrick Tonkel (Pat) passed from time to eternity in the early afternoon June 9th, 2011.
There will be a time for family visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday at Wells United Methodist Church, 2019 Bailey Avenue and the service will be at 10:30 a.m. A fellowship luncheon will follow the service. Graveside services will be at Floral Hills Cemetery in Gulfport at 5 p.m. Monday. Sebrell Funeral Home has charge.
Born in Heidelberg, Mississippi, Pat was a wife, mother, grandmother ("Bemi") and very special friend. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and earned her Medical Technology degree at Mobile Infirmary. She then worked in Gulfport, Mississippi where she met and married her husband of forty-three years, Keith Tonkel.
When Keith was transferred to Wells United Methodist Church in 1968, Pat came to serve with him and took a job at St. Dominic's Hospital. As children came along, she became a stay-at-home mom until they were grown. She returned to her career, working for Mississippi State Department of Health until her retirement about three years ago.
Always humble, she was a trusted confidant, an outstanding teacher for children and adults, a gifted pianist and organist, and was seen across the years as the "gray hair behind the organ" by the people of Wells.
Her ministry included years of service in the Children's Department at Wells, as leader of home study groups, church organist, pianist for Wednesday night Prayer Meeting, choir member, secretary of the Administrative Board, and steadfast "home base" for her husband's ministry.
In the eyes of many, Pat's most effective ministry was as a friend, counselor and encourager to countless individuals whose life journeys took them through the doors of that little church on Bailey Avenue.
Pat Tonkel was great (a neurotic Perfectionist) with sewing and loved her high tech machines. In fact, in regards to computers and other technical equipment, she loved all that sort of thing.
Even as she grew more and more ill as a result of a brain tumor, she longed to "get back to her yard." Her brother, Ron Myrick, summed it up well for us all when he said, "She was the best woman I ever knew, and my wife agrees."
Pat Tonkel was a genuinely good,decent,caring, and loving human being.
Mourning her passing is her husband Keith, their children Tracy (Jeff), Shelley, Anthony, and now Ricky, her brother, Ron Myrick (Tricia), her sister, Margie Prine, nephew, Jay Myrick (Kristen)"Granddaddy" Earl Hill and grandsons, Porter, Carson, and Griffin, ("My boys," she would say) along with countless other family, dear friends and church family.
Always a grateful, independent, quiet, private, and 'background' person, she hated that her illness put others out, and was always "sorry " for it. In truth, all who loved her counted it as a privilege to care for her.
Her last days were marked by illness and pain, and she began to share with her loved ones, that "it was time to go home." She said to her friend Sara, "It's time to go, and I'm in a hurry." Her dear friends were at her bedside as she passed. Other family members had just left the room, and she chose to leave then, we believe, so that no family member would feel badly about not having been there when the time came. That was Pat's spirit—she was selfless in all things—even her own death.
We are all poorer for the loss of this unique and special human being. We mourn her death, but are thankful for her healing and peace—at long last.
Our special thanks to that amazing community of believers who are Wells Church, her dear friend Lorene Nevels, Dr. Ruth Fredricks, Dr. Anne Whitehurst, the staff of St. Dominic's and Hospice Ministries, and to each and of you who prayed for, stayed with, brought food to, and offered many wonderful and loving gifts to Pat and us all.
Pat Tonkel never failed to say "Thank you." And now we say the same for the amazing gift of sharing life with her.
The family requests that any memorials in lieu of flowers be sent to Wells Church, 2019 Bailey Avenue Jackson, MS 39213 or to the donor's favorite charity.
Published in Clarion Ledger on June 12, 2011.
There will be a time for family visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday at Wells United Methodist Church, 2019 Bailey Avenue and the service will be at 10:30 a.m. A fellowship luncheon will follow the service. Graveside services will be at Floral Hills Cemetery in Gulfport at 5 p.m. Monday. Sebrell Funeral Home has charge.
Born in Heidelberg, Mississippi, Pat was a wife, mother, grandmother ("Bemi") and very special friend. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and earned her Medical Technology degree at Mobile Infirmary. She then worked in Gulfport, Mississippi where she met and married her husband of forty-three years, Keith Tonkel.
When Keith was transferred to Wells United Methodist Church in 1968, Pat came to serve with him and took a job at St. Dominic's Hospital. As children came along, she became a stay-at-home mom until they were grown. She returned to her career, working for Mississippi State Department of Health until her retirement about three years ago.
Always humble, she was a trusted confidant, an outstanding teacher for children and adults, a gifted pianist and organist, and was seen across the years as the "gray hair behind the organ" by the people of Wells.
Her ministry included years of service in the Children's Department at Wells, as leader of home study groups, church organist, pianist for Wednesday night Prayer Meeting, choir member, secretary of the Administrative Board, and steadfast "home base" for her husband's ministry.
In the eyes of many, Pat's most effective ministry was as a friend, counselor and encourager to countless individuals whose life journeys took them through the doors of that little church on Bailey Avenue.
Pat Tonkel was great (a neurotic Perfectionist) with sewing and loved her high tech machines. In fact, in regards to computers and other technical equipment, she loved all that sort of thing.
Even as she grew more and more ill as a result of a brain tumor, she longed to "get back to her yard." Her brother, Ron Myrick, summed it up well for us all when he said, "She was the best woman I ever knew, and my wife agrees."
Pat Tonkel was a genuinely good,decent,caring, and loving human being.
Mourning her passing is her husband Keith, their children Tracy (Jeff), Shelley, Anthony, and now Ricky, her brother, Ron Myrick (Tricia), her sister, Margie Prine, nephew, Jay Myrick (Kristen)"Granddaddy" Earl Hill and grandsons, Porter, Carson, and Griffin, ("My boys," she would say) along with countless other family, dear friends and church family.
Always a grateful, independent, quiet, private, and 'background' person, she hated that her illness put others out, and was always "sorry " for it. In truth, all who loved her counted it as a privilege to care for her.
Her last days were marked by illness and pain, and she began to share with her loved ones, that "it was time to go home." She said to her friend Sara, "It's time to go, and I'm in a hurry." Her dear friends were at her bedside as she passed. Other family members had just left the room, and she chose to leave then, we believe, so that no family member would feel badly about not having been there when the time came. That was Pat's spirit—she was selfless in all things—even her own death.
We are all poorer for the loss of this unique and special human being. We mourn her death, but are thankful for her healing and peace—at long last.
Our special thanks to that amazing community of believers who are Wells Church, her dear friend Lorene Nevels, Dr. Ruth Fredricks, Dr. Anne Whitehurst, the staff of St. Dominic's and Hospice Ministries, and to each and of you who prayed for, stayed with, brought food to, and offered many wonderful and loving gifts to Pat and us all.
Pat Tonkel never failed to say "Thank you." And now we say the same for the amazing gift of sharing life with her.
The family requests that any memorials in lieu of flowers be sent to Wells Church, 2019 Bailey Avenue Jackson, MS 39213 or to the donor's favorite charity.
Published in Clarion Ledger on June 12, 2011.
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