Patsy Ruth Holland Prior

Funeral services for Mrs. Patsy Ruth Holland Prior, 75, of Henderson, will be held at 10 am Wednesday, May 30, 2012 in the chapel of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home with Rev. Lynn Loe officiating. Interment will follow in Strong Cemetery under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home in Henderson.Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m., Tues., May 29 at the funeral home.Mrs. Prior passed away May 26, 2012 in Henderson. She was born May 4, 1937 in Panola County to the late Richard T. and Eddie Belle Whitley Holland. Patsy graduated from Carthage High School in 1955. She was a loving wife and mother and homemaker by profession. She loved to have her family with her as often as possible, especially on holidays, when she would always prepare a delicious meal. In her younger years she liked playing the piano and was an accomplished seamstress, making the majority of her own and many of her children's clothes. Patsy also loved growing beautiful flowers, keeping an immaculate lawn, and attempting a variety of arts and crafts and remodeling projects. Her church home for over fifty years was St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Henderson, where she spent countless hours in fellowship with her friends. For years she worked in the church's Mother's Day Out program, where she touched the lives of many young children of the community. In her later years, when she became a widow after 47 years of marriage, she enjoyed taking travel tours with her sister. After her stroke at the age of 71, Patsy relied on the visits of her caring family and friends to help endure the long days. Especially faithful to visit regularly were dear friends Melba Kelsey, Norma Stanley, Frankie and Carlos Hunt, Don Bassett and Patsy's very best friend, the late Delilah Bassett.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronny Prior; and sister, Barbara Jean Holland.Survivors include: sons, Terry Prior of Plano, Jerry Prior and wife Margaret of Henderson, and Mark Prior and wife Debra of Henderson; brother, Richard Holland of Fairplay; sister, Joyce Pellham of Beckville; grandchildren, Meredith Permenter, Lance Prior, Alicia Copeland, Jacob Prior, Holden McElveen, and Kylie Prior; and great-grandchildren, Westen Prior, R.J. Prior, Nicole Prior, and Ellie Copeland.Pallbearers will be Lance Prior, Jacob Prior, Holden McElveen, Brent Copeland, Eric Pellham, and Johnny Parker. The staffs of Autumn Leaves Nursing & Rehab and Angel Care Hospice are greatly appreciated for their constant and loving care in helping to make her final months more pleasant.Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Patsy Ruth Holland Prior

May 4, 1937 - May 26, 2012