Patsy Farley Strader

Patsy Ruth Farley Strader passed away peacefully at home on Saturday April 22nd, 2023. She was born in Temple, Texas on December 27, 1930, to Dr. Frederick Walling Farley and Sara Cayce Farley and grew up in San Saba, Texas. She went to San Saba High School where she was voted Sweetheart her freshman year and graduated as Salutatorian.
Patsy attended Abilene Christian College, graduating in three years in 1951 with a degree in Piano. She was a member of many social and academic societies, including Mission Studies, the Honor Society for Music Lovers, and the Kitten Klub where she was voted Queen and most valuable member. Patsy met her future husband Jerry Strader at ACC in 1950. Patsy and Jerry were married in San Saba, Texas, in 1951 which started them on an amazing journey including raising their four children and traveling all over the world. While Jerry was usually in the forefront, Patsy was there reading every textbook to him and typing all his papers, helping him achieve his success. The family finally settled in Abilene in 1970 where Patsy and Jerry have been well-known for their hospitality, opening their home to many college students and families who needed a place to live as well as supporting the ACU football team for many years, holding annual 4th of July parties, and hosting too-many-to-count events. Patsy also held the Farley Thanksgiving at their home for 34 years. She was known for her homemade fudge, ice cream & chocolate sauce, celebrating her children's birthdays with chocolate cake well after they were grown, and serving Sunday lunch after church. Her most cherished moments were being with her family, loving and playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and reading them Bible stories.
Patsy attended Highland Church of Christ. She devoted herself in service to others, was fervent in prayer, and read through the Bible every year. She oversaw Ladies Bible Class for many years and mentored young women through Bible study. Patsy had countless friends from all walks of life. After raising her kids, she spent time with different groups of friends each week- Mondays for coffee at McDonald's, Tuesdays with her stitching friends, and Thursdays to play cards. She was a lifelong stitcher and/or crocheter every day, all day, even on her first date with Jerry. She crocheted hundreds of baby blankets for newborns at Highland spanning 40 years. She was an avid sports fan, the NY Yankees being her favorite team. She also loved watching football and organizing March Madness brackets for her family.
Patsy is survived by her loving husband Robert Jerry Strader of 72 years along with 4 children: Robert (Bob) Jerry Strader Jr. and wife Mary Beth, Sara (Sally) Ruth Frazier and husband Richard Olen, Rebecca (Becky) Wynne Hamric and husband Rick, and Patsy (Patty) Farley Wenetschlaeger and husband Terry, 7 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
Patsy will be missed by everyone who had the blessing of knowing her. Patsy Farley Strader we salute your life - a life of molding family, a life of travels touching hearts in foreign countries, spiritual influence on others - we're glad she was on our team!
The family wishes to thank Dr. Dell McKnight for his excellent care of Patsy, especially the house calls.
A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday April 25th at 10:00 am in the chapel at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street, Abilene, Texas with a reception to follow at Highland Church of Christ. Family visitation will be held at the funeral home Monday evening from 5-7 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family would request sending donations to some of Patsy's favorite charities: Christ Community Church (cccfamily.org), Men of Nehemiah (nehemiahabilene.org), Just Mercy (www.justmercy.org), or Faith Works of Abilene (faithworksofabilene.org).   Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.