BENTON — Pattye Ann Gay,
84, of Benton, passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Pattye was born December 13, 1937, in Ripley, Mississippi to Dewitt and Lillie May Traynom. She graduated from Longview Heights High School in Memphis, Tenn., in 1950 and then attended Baptist Hospital Nursing School in Memphis.
Pattye’s life experiences gave her an inner core of strength and faith that she would use to help others, and you could see her loving heart in her smile and contagious laughter. Pattye was a homemaker while her children were growing up and always active in church, teaching Sunday School, leading WMU, teaching the GA’s and loved singing in the church choir. Later, she worked as a secretary at First Baptist Church and a wedding coordinator until retiring to start a catering business, “Silver Belles” with a couple of dear friends. Pattye loved entertaining and interacting with people, always seeking opportunities to care for, love on and encourage others.
Her greatest accomplishment though was her family. Pattye was a source of strength and compassion for her children: Sheila, Amanda, Belinda and Buddy. She married the love of her life, Marvin, on October 8, 1983. She was over joyed as her family grew with another son, Mark. Pattye was a loving and devoted Wife, Mother, Grandma, and friend. Pattye and Marvin loved seeing their family grow as they celebrated 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. If they weren’t watching their grandchildren in their many sports, band, and choir activities they were headed to cheer on the Arkansas Razorbacks in both basketball and football. They loved traveling to the Razorback games and had a blast whether they were winning or losing. Pattye and Marvin loved to travel across the country together with family and friends making unforgettable memories. Her family meant more to her than words can describe.
She is preceded in death by her parents Dewitt Traynom, Lillie May Traynom, Willie Margret Traynom; her husband, Marvin Gay; her brother, James Curtis Traynom; and daughter, Sheila White.
She is survived by her children, Amanda Godwin and her husband Don of Benton, Belinda Henley and her husband David of Lake Limestone, Texas, Buddy Eoff and his wife Susan of Benton, and Mark Gay and his wife Kathy of Cave Springs, Ark.
She is survived by nine loving grandchildren, Adam Eoff and his wife Megan of Benton, Austin Eoff and his wife Shelby of West Lafayette, Ind., Kristyna Gleghorn of Galveston, Texas, David Henley of San Diego, Calif., Karlee Ann Gleghorn of San Diego, Calif., Luke Henley of Sherman, Texas, Bryan Godwin and his wife Lorie of Bryant, Sara Meyer and her husband Sam of Springdale, Tyler Gay of Fayetteville; and five precious great-grandchildren, Sawyer Eoff, Brayden and Lawson Godwin, and Maverick and Merritt Meyer.
Visitation will be Monday, January 10th, 2022, from 9-10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Benton. Funeral service will be Monday, January 10th, 2022, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, in Benton. Burial will be at South Crossroads Cemetery in Hopewell, Ark., at 2:30 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Adam Eoff, Austin Eoff, David Henley, Luke Henley, Bryan Godwin, Mark Gay, Sam Meyer and Tyler Gay. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Pattye’s life. Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.