Patricia "Patty" Ruth Novak-Rhoads, age 64, of Cassville, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Patty, daughter of Theresa Ruth Allen, was born on July 7, 1956, in Fort Worth, Texas. She graduated from Edison High School in 1974 and subsequently continued her education receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Education with honors.  On May 17, 1975, she was united in marriage to Murray Adrian Rhoads, Jr. in Lawton, Oklahoma; they shared a love together that very few get to experience.

Patty was a one-of- a-kind teacher and loved teaching. She always made time for all children to see their potential and pushed them to be their best. Patty taught special education for area schools including Cassville, Exeter and Billings, where she retired in 2016.

She was a remarkable woman who lived her life to the fullest. Patty never met a stranger and was always one to put the needs of others before her own. Her family was her pride and joy, especially her four grandchildren, never missing an opportunity to spend time with them.

Some of her favorite pastimes were reading, sewing and crafting. She also had her antique booth at the The Ole' Home Place in Cassville. Patty loved the Lord and enjoyed listening to Christian music everywhere she went; everything she did, she did with excellence, as unto the Lord. Patty was a member of First Baptist Church in Cassville where she was very active in several church activities.

Survivors include her loving husband, Murray Rhoads, Jr, of Cassville; two sons, Adrian Rhoads and his wife Stephanie, of Springfield, and Dustin Rhoads and his wife Amy, of Cassville; four grandchildren, Catherine, Cosmo, Maxwell, and Corbin; one brother, Neal Puckett and his wife Nancy, of Eagle Rock; three sisters-in-law, Adria Suina and her husband Greg, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Melanie Motah and her husband Galon, of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Jolene Schonchin and her husband Lyn, of Elgin, Oklahoma; and several nieces and nephews, including Chynna Ashbaugh, whom she was very close to and with whom she had a special bond.

In addition to her mother, Patty was preceded in death by one son, Tomahsah Adam Rhoads; her grandmother, Freddie Mae Stephens; step-father, Kermit Allen; brother, Lewis Puckett; and brother in-law, Jeffrey Rhoads.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 10th at the First Baptist Church in Cassville, with Pastor Jason Mackey officiating; burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Cassville.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, July 9th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the White Funeral Home in Cassville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Missouri Special Olympics and entrusted to the White Funeral Home and Crematory, P.O. Box 890, Cassville, MO 65625.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville, Missouri.