March 19, 1927 - November 1, 2023
Prairie Village, Kansas - Ann Pate Stevens, 96, passed away on November 1, 2023, All Saints Day. Services will be held at 1:00 on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Church of the Resurrection’s Wesley Chapel, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the charity of your choice.
Ann was born March 12, 1927, in Joplin, Missouri, the oldest child of Betty and Harry Pate. She was raised in Joplin, Missouri, and graduated from Gulf Park College for Women in Gulfport, Mississippi, and then from the University of Missouri with an Education Degree. She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
In November 1950 she married Edward L. Stevens in Joplin, MO where they lived for a short time before being transferred to Prairie Village, KS, Orange, Texas, Vicksburg, MS, and back to Orange, Texas. They finally returned to Mission Hills, Kansas in 1959 to make their home, known as “The Yellow House off Tomahawk,” where they raised their girls, Susannah and Marty.
Ann’s energy and enthusiasm were channeled into many hours spent in her beautiful garden, and evenings spent with handwork (needlepoint, rug hooking, and cross stitch samplers). She was a pioneer in the collection of fine primitive antiques. She enjoyed buying them at “off-the-road” antique shops throughout New England. Their home was featured in The Kansas City Star.
Ann was an active volunteer in the community. She was on the board of The Delano School, Eleanor Shutz Memorial Library, Prairie Planters #1, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. In 1961 she was the chair of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Holiday Homes Tour, as well as the Association President in 1984-1985. For the past 11 years, she has enjoyed living in the Claridge Court community. The team members and many friends became like a family to her, as well as to Susannah and Marty. Their dedication and care for her was of great comfort.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Ed; her sister, Betsy Robertson and brother Preston Pate, both of Joplin, MO. She is survived by daughters Susannah Pitman (Ray) of Leawood, KS. and Marty Fuchs (David) of Duxbury, MA., and brother-in-law Henry Robertson of Joplin, MO., along with several nieces and a nephew. She was adored by her grandchildren, Pate Pitman Emery, Carry Pitman, Ben Fuchs, and Matthew Fuchs. She loved looking at the pictures of her 8 great-grandchildren.
Mom, Ann, Granny/Ma, you will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts