Individual Details

Death

Patsy (Pat) Ruth Furr was born to Annie Ruth and Paul Gilliland on August 20, 1929, in her grandparents' farmhouse west of Allen, Texas. She committed her earthly life to Jesus when she was eight years old; she passed into her eternal life with her Lord and Savior on January 8, 2025. Pat attended Allen schools through 8th grade and then moved to Prosper, Texas, where she graduated as Valedictorian in May 1946. She met her future husband, Gerald Furr, at the Ritz Theater in McKinney in August 1945. She was there with her mother; he was a Merchant Marine home on leave. They married on December 15, 1946, and settled in the farming community of Rhea's Mill, Texas, where they lived, loved and worked side by side for 57 years. They reared their three children - Brenda, Sharon and Paul - in a Christian home where they shared nightly devotionals together. Pat joined the Rhea's Mill Baptist Church in January 1947; her membership and devotion to her church spanned 77 years. She served as a pianist, organist, soloist, choir member, Sunday School and VBS teacher and prayer warrior. For years, Pat and Gerald hosted young people in their home for weekly Encounter Group Bible Study. In the early days of the church, Southwestern Seminary students served as the pastor at Rhea's Mill and would stay at Pat and Gerald's home each weekend. They didn't have much in worldly possessions, but they were always willing to generously share what they had in the spirit of Godly love. In 1980, Pat started volunteering as a “pink lady” with the Women's Auxiliary at the Collin County Memorial Hospital in McKinney. She served as president for two terms and held various positions during her 20 years of volunteer work. Pat truly had a servant's heart. After Gerald's passing, Pat moved to a senior community in McKinney where she enjoyed meeting many new friends. She was greatly appreciative of her Rhea's Mill friends who transported her to and from church each Sunday. In 2016, Pat moved to the Tradition Assisted Living in Dallas and then to the Legacy at Willow Bend in Plano where she continued sharing her sweet caring ways, singing her hymns and sharing Jesus by her example. Pat Furr's legacy is one of unwavering faith in God, unconditional love for others, gratitude for all of God's blessings and a completely selfless desire to help others. Her legacy is a pathway for those who remain. She was dearly loved and will be sorely missed. Children: daughter Brenda Gaustad (Glenn), daughter Sharon Camp (Truett), son Paul Furr (Jana). Grandchildren: Angela Chisholm (Dave), Jeremy Johnson (Leslie), Matt Furr (Brandi), Heather Brown (Robert), Greg Gaustad and Erin Camp. Great grandchildren: Cambry Furr, Trae Brown, Hagen Johnson, Mason Johnson, Raedan Brown and Tyler Berger. Also surviving are her sister Sarah Gilliland (Glenda), sisters-in-law June Furr and Carolyn Shaw, and many additional dear relatives and friends. Visitation was held on Sunday, January 12 at 1:00 pm at Rhea's Mill Baptist Church, 5733 North Custer Road, McKinney 75071. A celebration of her life followed at 2:00 pm. Interment was held at Cottage Hill Cemetery in Celina following the service. Memorial donations may be made to Rhea's Mill Baptist Church.
Star Local Media, Plano, Texas, January 26, 2025