Patsy "Pat" R. McAllister

Patsy, “Pat” R. McAllister, 98 of El Dorado, KS left this earth to be with her Lord and Savior, Thursday, November 6th, 2025 surrounded by family. Pat was born on August 25th, 1927 in a one room house in Hamilton, KS to the late Hilda M. (Duffy) and John M.B. Swaney. Her dad worked for Phillips 66 so Pat grew up as she would say, “an oil field brat.” Pat attended oilfield schools throughout Greenwood County, including Teterville, Eureka, and lastly Madison where she graduated high school. Pat’s cousin introduced her to the love of her life, Eugene B. McAllister, and the rest as they say, is history. They were married following his return from WWII, in a small ceremony at her parent’s home in Madison, KS on December 12th, 1946. They eventually made their home in rural Leon, where they built their own home, and raised their family. Pat and Gene were happily married 58 years before his passing on February 27, 2005. They are now reunited in heaven and celebrating with Jesus! Their love was one for the ages as they were both devoted to each other, their faith, and their love for God.

Pat and Gene were charter members of Park Avenue Baptist Church in El Dorado, KS where Pat played the organ and piano every Sunday, and Gene sat proudly observing from the front pew. He loved listening to her music. Together they served as youth leaders. Pat served as youth choir director, Sunday school teacher, deaconess, was a member of the ABW, Ruth Circle, and also coordinated many special church events and dinners. Pat and Gene loved Christmas and one of their favorite things to do was invite the whole church for a Christmas dinner at their home. Every room was filled with decorations, love, and good friends for a dinner that they lovingly prepared together. After dinner, everyone gathered around to sing Christmas carols and share the Christmas story.

Over her 98 years of life, Pat worked in many different fields including the U.S. Rubber Co. as a secretary and as a doctor’s assistant. As a newlywed, she ran a restaurant attached to a Conoco Phillips gas station that Gene and her father-in-law operated. After starting her family, Pat graduated from Butler County Community College and then earned her bachelor’s degree in Music and Education in 1962, from Wichita State University. Pat spent many years teaching in areas of special education, elementary education and music in both public and Christian schools in El Dorado, Leon, and Haverhill, KS. In the late 80’s, Pat and her daughter opened Kid’s Kastle, a children’s clothing store in El Dorado, KS. She loved selecting items she thought her grandkids would love, and of course they did! She held several fashion shows at the store over the years with local children and her own grandchildren being the models. Pat also taught private piano and voice lessons from her home.

Pat loved and cared about children and over her life, she devoted time, money, and support to many different families and causes. She had a big heart and a deep concern for children that were ill or going hungry and was an avid supporter of St. Jude’s.

Pat loved sewing and crocheting, and made many dresses, costumes, and baby blankets for members of her family. She made beautiful dresses for her daughter’s prom and high school formals as well as dresses for those in her wedding party. She made Halloween costumes for the grandkids including Care Bears, Dorothy, Rainbow Brite, clowns, Little Mermaid, and many more.

Pat also enjoyed reading and writing, and wrote many poems and short stories even winning a local short story contest. She loved working in her flower garden, planting flowers every spring and grew beautiful roses. Yellow roses were always her favorite because they reminded her of her wedding day. She loved watching the many butterflies, hummingbirds, and squirrels that frequented her yard. She loved squirrels so much that she ended up with a huge collection she proudly displayed throughout her home. Pat’s family and friends would say she is most well-known for her many delicious pies and her Christmas classic, Belgian cookies, because no Christmas was complete without them. She was always delivering a pie to someone she thought needed help or just to brighten up their day. Pies were shared for holidays, birthdays, births, church dinners, college visits, or anytime she wanted to spoil her family, which was often. Pat along with family members would still make pie deliveries clear up into her 90’s.

Pat was a devoted fan of her alma mater, WSU Shockers, loved KC Royals baseball, and cheered on the KC Chiefs football team, telling us just a few weeks ago that KC would be nothing without Patrick Mahomes because he was able to do it all and they listened to him.

Family was important to Pat. She loved spending as much time as possible with all of them, attending birthday parties, ball games, graduations, holidays, weddings, or any time the family gathered just for fun. If she was able, she was always present.

The most important thing in Pat’s life was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She stayed faithful to God by reading her Bible, various Christian books, and listening to David Jeremiah’s sermons on Sunday morning. Her prayer was that all would know Jesus, accept Him and one day join her in Heaven to be with Him.

Pat is survived by: son, Bruce McAllister (Lynda), daughter-in-law Jan McAllister all of El Dorado, KS; daughter, Deborah O’Bryan (Dan) of Leon, KS; and son, David Cornish of Whitewater KS.

Grandchildren: Shawn McAllister (Shelia), Stacy Byfield (Kevin), Tessa Carlson (Craig), Shannon Hurt (Jeremy), Elizabeth Burden (Eric), Jennifer Stout, Damon McAllister (Amy), Derik McAllister, Nathan McAllister, Kelcey Crone (Jon), Deanna Mosher (Joe), Daniel Amekporfor (Kemm).

Great Grandchildren: Jaden Schwerdtfeger (Lane), Tanner McAllister (Megan), Isabella Kirk, Owen Byfield, Tenley and Tyrus Smith, Camryn Carlson, Jaxson, Maverick, and Avery Hurt, Cade (Brooke), Clay, and Caydee Burden, Brooklyn and Josceyln Stout, Benjamin and Thomas McAllister, Roman Little, Nora Baird, Lorelei and Colton Crone, Emma and Grayson Phillips, Taylor Allen (Tanner), Layla and Eli Amekporfor.

Great-Great Granddaughters: Aria and Rynn Schwerdtfeger, Charlotte Burden, and Charlie Allen.

Pat was preceded in death by: her husband, Eugene B. McAllister; son, Larry McAllister; great grandson, Jacob Byfield; and daughter-in-law, Donna Cornish.

A visitation will be held at 1:00 p.m. with service at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2205 at Headley Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Leon Cemetery, Leon, KS.

Donations in her memory may be made to Headley Funeral Chapel to be used by her family to purchase Christmas gifts for the local Angel Tree in honor of Pat because she loved Christmas, and always wanted to help others. Donations may also be made in her memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. Thank you for supporting the causes near and dear to her heart.

Romans 10:13 - For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.