Patricia Colleen (DePriest) Detwiler, 77, fell asleep here on earth and woke up in the arms of Jesus on October 5, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.
She was born on the family farm in Birch Tree, Missouri, to Robert and Dessie (Cooper) DePriest on August 27, 1945. On January 31, 1964, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Lloyd Detwiler, and they were blessed with one child, a daughter, Jamie and son-in-law, Randy Gall, who she bragged about. She inherited grandchildren, Bob and Emily (Gall) Hadley, and Troy and Amy (Gall) Smith, and three great-grandchildren, Colter Hadley, Holden Smith, and Grady Smith, to whom she was Grandma Colleen.
Colleen was affectionately known as Sis to many, but especially to her brother, Sheldon and Jannetta DePriest, and brothers-in-law, Al Detwiler, Bob Detwiler, and James Detwiler. Her most endeared name was Dean, used by so many especially nieces and nephews, Brock and Karen Frost, Bronson and Kim Frost, Matt and Brooke Daniels, Cole and Casey DePriest, and Luke and Logan Thompson, and 33 great and great-great nieces and nephews. She was always surrounded by many cousins she considered more like siblings, and everyone was family to her.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Robert and Dessie DePriest; siblings, Dwight DePriest and Brenda Frost; and brother-in-law, Donald Detwiler.
She started working at the Brown Shoe Factory in shipping and claimed to be an expert packer. She was most fondly remembered by the clicking of her high heels down the halls when she was secretary of Birch Tree Elementary and wrapped up her career as manager of Three Rivers Sheltered Workshop, where she was actively involved with Special Olympics and The Sporting Chance. After retirement, she enjoyed spending time with Lloyd on their farm, traveling to Washington to visit kids and grandkids, and following the great-nieces and nephews at their sporting and school events. But she never stopped working, always organizing and planning, especially the DePriest Family Reunion. She always displayed her love for Jesus and her family, especially through feeding you. She was the cornerstone of our family and will leave a space that will never be filled.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at County Line Pentecostal Church on October 9, 2022, from 2-4:00 p.m. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Birch Tree, Missouri. In lieu of flowers, please donate in her memory to your favorite charity. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.
