Patsy Piper

Patsy Ruth Piper (Chambless) December 29, 1938—September 1, 2025

Patsy was born to Ralph and Edith Chambless on December 29, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the second of four children: Billy, Patsy (Pat), Delbert (Buddy), and Ralph (Eugene). Her parent’s divorced when she was about 7 years old. Her mother, unable to provide adequate care after the divorce, allowed Patsy and Delbert to move across the state to Carmi, Ill where they were raised by Raymond and Viola Turner. Pat was the last surviving member of her birth and foster families. Through a friend, Pat met George Piper who was a ROTC cadet, at the University of Illinois. The relationship progressed after his college graduation and his becoming a 2nd Lt in the United States Air Force, and they married on November 25, 1955, and would be married for 65 years until Georges passing in December of 2020.  Pat left high school when they married but completed it in the mid 1960’s as she wanted to pursue higher education as a nurse. Pat enjoyed the time as an officer’s wife except for the low income and living in a small trailer starting their family. Over the years they had 7 children with only the oldest three surviving childbirth beyond a week. Surviving children are Jerry (wife Laura, and daughters Leah and Rachel); Elizabeth (husband David Schmid, and sons Curtis, Craig and Michael); Janice (former husband Dean Schrader, children Brandon, Brian, Matthew, and Alicia). Pat and George had 4 other children, twins Shirley and Susan who were born premature, surviving less than a week; and Charles and William, who each died during or shortly before their births. The loss of those children remained devastating to her throughout the rest of her life. She was proud Grandmother to additional five great- grandchildren; and four, 2x greatgrandchildren.

In the late 1960’s, Pat began attending St. Lukes school of Nursing, graduating in 1973. She worked as a Registered Nurse in Cardiac care, Emergency Room, and Ear Nose and Throat Clinic retiring in 1996 with disabling rheumatoid arthritis which she suffered through surgeries over many years. In 1983 George and Pat moved from Waterford, WI to Columbia, MO; They loved their country ‘farmette’ and manmade catfish pond. They built the property up themselves from an open field to a peaceful country retreat, which everyone loved to visit. Pat did mission trips to Mexico and Pat and George traveled extensively in US as well as overseas, including trips to Israel. The medication for her rheumatoid had a severe side effect of creating progressive vision loss. Over a period of about twenty years she essential lost her sight, limiting her independence and creating dependency on others. In 2015, with Pat’s eyesight restricting her ability to drive and her progressing cardiac issues, and with George believed to be in progressing middle stage of Alzheimer’s, they returned to Waterford and maintained their independence in their much smaller home, with assistance of daughter Janice, and adult Grandchildren. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed visiting Missouri as Grandma(Pat) always prepared 3 big meals a day along with desserts. She loved to bake and create delicious chocolate candy at Christmas. She always had hope someone would pick up and love candy making as much as she did.

Pat had several challenges in her life right from her birth. At the age of eight with her foster home adjacent to a country church, she developed a love of God she relied on through all of her trials, right up to her death under hospice care. She was very committed to her faith, sharing it with others, and encouraging others to turn to God. In the last years her audio Bible on her I-Pad was her salvation as she could no longer see well enough to read. She experienced many downfalls that she always was able to pull herself though by relying on her faith.

A very special thank you to Ann Dirks for weekly transporting Pat to Church Services and prayer groups.

With George’s death and the death of his sister Mary a year earlier, George’s brother-in-law Bob Deem and Pat became companions sharing faith in God, love of St Louis Cardinals and daily support talking on the phone or outings.

A Memorial Service for Pat will be at Waterford Community Church (formerly Methodist) for Thursday, September 18, 2025, with visit with family starting at 11:00 AM, and Memorial Service at 12:00 PM. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery..

Thank you to Home Helpers Health Aide Donna for her assistance, and a very special thank you to Racine/Walworth Hospice staff for all the care and assistance allowing Pat to remain at home and being an immediate resource to Laura Piper, Elizabeth and Janice who stayed with Pat 24/7 during her final 2 weeks. On September 1, 2025, Pat accomplished her on-going wish “to go home to her Lord.”