EL DORADO — Pat McMahen Anthony, 83, formerly of
El Dorado, Ark., danced her way into Heaven the morning of September 18, 2023, after a graceful 10-year journey through Alzheimer’s disease.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Lee Anthony of El Dorado; as well as her parents, Elvis and Katherine McMahen; and older brother, James McMahen, all of Augusta, Ark.
Pat is survived by those she considered her greatest gifts, her son, Dr. John Lee Anthony, Jr. of Montgomery, Ala.; and daughters, Michele (Kim) Anthony and Andrea (Jay) Brooks of Fayetteville; grandchildren, Addison Anthony, Jay Anthony Brooks, Ashley Anthony and Evan Brooks; her closest childhood friends, Marty Easley and Mary Eleanor Galloway; and a host of other loving friends and family.
Pat was born on May 24, 1940, in Augusta, Ark. It was there that her strong convictions of faith, and focus on family laid the foundation for her life. She thrived in her local community and was active in cheerleading, basketball, drama, piano, and played the organ at her home church Augusta United Methodist.
Pat graduated from Laura Conner High School and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she received a degree in Business Education. She served as Social Chairman and President of her beloved sorority, Pi Beta Phi. Most importantly, the University is where she met her husband and love of her life, John Lee Anthony.
Pat and John Lee raised their three children in El Dorado, where she devoted her time to each of their varied activities from the local tennis courts, basketball courts, and the South Arkansas Arts Center stage. Their four grandchildren were the lights of her life and she made it her mission to spoil them and to travel any distance to never miss a performance, sporting event, graduation or birthday.
Pat dedicated her life to service and bringing joy to others. She loved First United Methodist Church El Dorado, where she was actively involved in mission projects, vacation bible school, youth trips, choir, and handbells. Highlights were mission trips to Rio Bravo, Mexico, Costa Rica, and singing with the choir at New York’s Carnegie Hall. Pat also supported her community through organizations like The El Dorado Service League, The Salvation Army, The Methodist Children’s Home, Hope Landing, Susan G. Komen Foundation and UAMS Cancer Institute.
Pat was a lifelong social butterfly, a gracious hostess and generous beyond measure. She never met a stranger and was the first to include someone new to town. She was always on the go — playing tennis or card games, and later in life loved line dancing with The Silver Kickers.
She was a music lover who couldn’t help but dance to the beat of the moment, even as her journey with Alzheimer’s progressed. Her family and friends will always cherish the many dancing videos she left behind. Pat kept her light and joy, humming and singing when words failed her. She will live on in our hearts, forever and always as our dancing queen.
Pat’s celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 11:00 in the sanctuary at First United Methodist Church of El Dorado by Young’s Funeral Directors.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church of El Dorado, Hope Landing, South Arkansas Arts Center, or Union County Animal Protection Society (UCAPS).
Condolences may be shared at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Anthony family.