Patricia Ann (Smith) Briggs

We take joy in the fact that our mom/grandma, Patricia Ann (Smith) Briggs went to rest in the arms of her precious Savior, and to be with her loving husband, who has been waiting these many years for their heavenly reunion. Though we already miss her terribly, we know that Mom has been looking forward to this reunion for many many years. Patricia Briggs died January 21, 2022.

Pat was born in Kansas City, Mo on August 10, 1936. She graduated from Southside High School, got her bachelor’s degree in education from Central Missouri State College (Warrensburg)—where she met and married her husband of 40 years, Arvin A. Briggs, and then went on to achieve her master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Pat taught for several years in the Kansas City School district before she and her husband moved to Lake Winnebago, Mo. They adopted two children, and after the children were in school full-time, Pat taught Home Economics in the Lee’s Summit School District for the rest of her 30+ year career. She was the head of the Home Economics department for most of that time. Pat also taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and helped with the hospitality and bereavement committees in the Presbyterian and Methodist churches she attended throughout her life.

Pat was always busy with projects. When her children were young, the projects had to do with her house and sewing clothes for the children. As the children grew, it was keeping after the children, doing projects for the school, working in the yard, painting the house inside and out, and cooking and cleaning for her family. After Arvin’s stroke and her retirement, those projects centered around helping Arvin build homes and duplexes and building and decorating their own “dream” home. After Arvin’s death in 1998, Pat put her time into running the duplexes they had built, spending as much time as possible with her grandsons, and redecorating her own home. She also enjoyed taking trips to Branson and going on trips with her daughter’s family to Disney World and Hawaii.

Pat was predeceased by her husband, Arvin Briggs, her oldest brother, James M. Smith, her parents, Paul M. Smith and Martha R. (Eaton) Smith, and twin great-grandsons, Ripley Scott and Briggs Camus. She is survived by a brother, Paul E. Smith of Arizona; a sister, Linda L. Campbell of Kansas; a sister in law, Frances Waddell of Helena, MT; a son, Patrick (Allaney) Briggs of California; a daughter, Barbara (William) Smith of Kansas City, MO; four grandchildren: Jeremiah (Aiden) Smith of Kansas City, MO, Jordan (Bea) Smith of Leavenworth, KS, Caleb (Sarah) Smith of Grant City, MO, Jason Briggs of California; four great-granddaughters: Raziel Vasilakas of Kansas City, MO, Elizabeth and Mariah Smith of Grant City, MO, Maeve Smith of Leavenworth, KS; as well as a large extended family and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Heart Association.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, January 28th, 2022, at 11:00 AM. A viewing of pictures and video of Mom’s life will be held just prior to the service beginning at 10:30 AM. The Services will be held at The First Baptist Church of Platte City, 17385 MO-371, Platte City, MO 64079.