Patsy Elaine Pearson
Patsy Elaine Pearson (Sanders), 77, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at home surrounded by love as she entered the gates of Heaven.
Pat was born June 23, 1949, in Dallas County, Missouri, to Clarence Levi Sanders and Ethel Lucille (Hicks) Kaden. She grew up in the Elkland, Missouri, area and attended Shady Grove, Elkland, and Marshfield schools. She was one of seven children.
Caring for others was woven into who Pat was from an early age. At only 16, she began working as a nurse aide at St. John’s and later at Foster’s Nursing Home before beginning what would become a lifelong career at Smith-Glynn-Callaway Clinic. For 30 years, she worked alongside Dr. Kinder, becoming an essential part of his successful medical practice. Pat was extraordinarily devoted to her work and rarely missed a day. Her dedication, dependability, and genuine care for people made her beloved by patients and coworkers alike, many of whom became lifelong friends. She retired from Mercy Health System in 2011.
As devoted as Pat was to her work, nothing compared to the love she had for her family. She raised five children in rural Greene County, Missouri, and over the years her family grew to include grandchildren, great-grandchildren, daughters- and sons-in-law, and many others who came to know and love her as Mom or Nana. She treasured every opportunity to be with her kids, grandbabies, and great-grandbabies. Being surrounded by the people she loved was one of her greatest joys.
Pat loved deeply, but anyone who knew her also knew that love did not prevent her from telling you when she thought you needed a little correction. She had a wonderful sense of humor, a quick wit, and her own unmistakable way of letting you know when you were being a “dumb ass”—while making equally certain that you knew she loved you anyway. Her family never had to wonder where they stood with Pat or whether they were loved.
A caregiver to her core, Pat spent much of her retirement devoted to the care of her special-needs granddaughter, Macenzi. Caring for Macenzi was not simply a responsibility; it was another expression of the devotion that characterized Pat’s life. Whether caring for a patient, raising her children, helping someone who needed her, or loving on another grandbaby, taking care of people came naturally to Pat.
Retirement also left time for another favorite pastime: trips to the casino with her dear friend Sue, her daughter-in-law Kenda, and many of her grandchildren. Pat had her own special technique at the slot machines, repeatedly sliding her hand across the screen and carrying on a conversation with the machine as she played. She was quick to let the machine know whether it was doing a good job—or exactly what she thought of it when it wasn’t. Those fortunate enough to sit beside her will remember those moments, her humor, and the laughter that so often followed.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Levi Sanders and Ethel Lucille (Hicks) Kaden; five siblings, Barbara McCurry, Charlotte Allen, Gary Sanders, James Sanders, and Steven Sanders; her oldest son, Mark Clopton; and her granddaughter, Macenzi Tindle.
She is survived by her beloved younger brother, Kavin Sanders and wife Barbara of Morrisville, Missouri; her children, Marty Clopton and wife Kenda of Springfield, Missouri; Tracy Clopton of Springfield, Missouri; Mia Shelton (Clopton) and husband Ethan of Grovespring, Missouri; and Andy Pearson and wife Becka of Pleasant Hope, Missouri.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Hallee Clopton, Myles Clopton, Mason Clopton, Montgomery Clopton, Cody Daniel, Kelea Daniel, Eryn Marble, Emma Marble, Logan Tindle and wife Hannah, Clay Wilson and wife Leiken, Jaida Baldwin and husband Ricky, Erica Pearson, Sophia Pearson, Owen Pearson, and Emmett Pearson; along with 17 great-grandchildren.
Pat will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Her family finds comfort in the memories they shared and the love she gave so freely. She will remain forever in their hearts and always present in their thoughts.
Interment at Mt. Olive Cemetery Elkland, Missouri., with a private family service.