At the age of 97, Cora Ann “Sandy” (Norfrey) Patterson Dayball passed away in her home in Clinton. Sandy was surrounded by family and caregiving staff. Although her passing is a huge loss to her family and friends, she is at peace and hopefully visiting with her parents, siblings and husbands (Paul Patterson and Sam Dayball). Her belief that she would laugh with Paul and dance again with Sam makes her passing bearable.
Sandy was born February 13, 1926, in Henryville, Ind., to James Walter Norfrey and Willia Edna (Niersteimer) Norfrey. At the age of 18, she moved to St. Louis, where she met her husband and father of their children, Paul Eugene Patterson. Paul and Sandy made their home in Jonesburg and raised four children there. They enjoyed fishing, grandchildren, bowling, cards and friends. They had a strong presence in the community supporting the Homecoming, Lions Club and the Jonesburg Methodist Church.
After losing Paul to heart disease, Sandy married Sam Dayball of High Hill. They enjoyed a full life for over 20 years and shared a love of dancing, gardening and canning. They realized their marriage as a blessing and chose to celebrate every five years believing that they couldn’t be so lucky to make it any longer than that.
Sandy is preceded in death by her parents; siblings; husbands, Paul Patterson and Sam Dayball; and great-granddaughter, Sara Patterson. She leaves behind a daughter, Paula Jean Adams (Dick), son, Roy A. Patterson II (Sue), daughter, LuAnn Patterson (Bob Mohar) and Theresa Evans (Ed Schutte). She also leaves behind grandchildren, Craig (Susie) Adams, Laurie Adams (Jeff) Isch, Heather Patterson, Trey (Emily) Patterson, Michael (Jennifer) Haymes, Shauna Haymes Smith, Travis (Amanda) Evans and Derek Evans; many great- and great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
The first words that come to many of us about Sandy are strong and determined. If she put her mind to it nothing could stop her. She kept an impeccable house and made sure that the kids were clean and had all the nonsense over before their dad came home. She was a working mom but we never knew it. She still made our clothes, baked and made soup or beans every Sunday, but we never saw this work done. Sandy was a wonderful grandmother who was loved and adored.
It will be a difficult journey without her, but we can only hope that the many memories she created with us will ease this time without her. We can also hope that the values she worked so hard to instill in us will carry us through our lives without her.
