Patricia Ann Ashwood

Patricia "Patti" Ann Ferguson was born April 17, 1953, in Carlsbad, New Mexico, to her parents, H.B. Ferguson Jr. and Alamae "Polly" Ferguson. Her father was an active member of the US Air Force, so Patti lived several places growing up, including Mountain Home, Idaho, Shreveport, LA, and Plattsburgh, NY. Of those places, her earliest memory was of Mountain Home, Idaho, where her brother, Ronald Ferguson, was born—an event she recalled despite being a toddler at the time. She loved Plattsburgh and the entire New England coast for its autumn beauty, and she fondly remembered the wonderful southern food served at the public schools in Shreveport! Patti graduated from high school in Altus, OK, where her father retired from the Air Force after twenty years of serving his country. From there, the Ferguson family moved back to Gore, OK, and Patti attended Oklahoma Baptist University for her first year of college, later finishing her degree and graduating from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. Following graduation, she continued living with her parents in Gore while commuting to Sallisaw, OK, where she taught history and civics to junior high and high school students. Her life changed again when her brother told a certain young pastor, John Ashwood Sr., that his sister admired him. Patti was embarrassed at her brother's machinations, but it was all for the best. In God's grace, Patti married John, the absolute love of her life, on April 17th", 1980 —which was also her 27th birthday. She always laughed when telling the story that John, who had grown up on a dairy, was so nervous on the way to the church that he spent the entire ride telling her all about the different varieties of cows! John and Patti enjoyed 46 years of marriage. Due to John's job as a full-time pastor, they spent nearly every day of those years actually together, and were still deeply in love. Together, they had six children and thirty-two grandchildren. Patti's entire life was wrapped up in being a wife to John and a wonderful mother to her children, whom she homeschooled. Patti enjoyed poetry and wrote a special song for each of her children. Her favorite poem was "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost, which she particularly loved since she lived in the woods. She loved music, and wrote several Scripture songs, putting Bible verses to music. She also taught her children to sing many hymns and Scripture songs. She was a wonderful cook who made the best fried chicken in the world. She also loved to travel. Due to her prompting and planning, her family visited many incredible places such as Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the giant Sequoias and Redwoods in California, the Alamo in San Antonio, Niagara Falls, every state in the Northeast, many Civil War battlefields, and a multitude of other places. During these years, she often invited nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to tag along on trips. On one unforgettable trip, Patti and John took fifteen kids to Silver Dollar City in two different vehicles-both of which broke down more than once. It was the adventure of a lifetime, but Patti never melted down when things got tough. She was a rock who could be relied on during the good times and the bad. Patti was a devoted grandmother who attended the births of most of her grandchildren. She enjoyed buying clothes and toys for them, which she would store in an upstairs bedroom, so she always had a gift ready for each child when it was their birthday. Patti went to be with the Lord on June 20th, 2026. She passed peacefully from her earthly home in the woods outside Fort Gibson to her heavenly home with her Savior, with her husband and oldest daughter present. Patti has left behind many to honor her memory, especially her devoted husband, John. She also leaves behind her children and grandchildren, including: Joshua Ashwood and wife, Maria, of Fort Gibson. Their children, Robert, Sherlock, Wycliffe, Melchizedek, Patricia, Naboth, Milton, and Knox Ashwood. Caleb Ashwood and wife, Elisabeth, of Gore. Their daughter, Gracie Ashwood. Samuel Ashwood and wife, Joy, of Muskogee. Their children, Heidi, Trudy, Matthew, Erika, Elisha, Amy, Samuel Jr., and Louisa Ashwood. Sarah Blackwell and husband, Steven, of Fort Gibson. Their children, John-David, Collin, Garrett, and Hannah Blackwell. Mercy Ogea and husband, Jeremy, of Azle, TX. Their children, Jackson, Anne, Ezra, Avonlea, Eve, Verity, and Sterling Ogea. Hannah McGee of Muskogee and her children. Landon, Calleigh, Zoey, and Brielle McGee. She also leaves behind her stepson, John Ashwood Jr. and wife, Shirley, of Gore. Their children, John, Daniel, Levi, Mary, Sarah Ellen, and Ruth Anne, their spouses, and John Jr.'s grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, church friends, and friends who loved her. Patti was preceded in death by her parents, H.B. and Polly, as well as her brother, Ron. Patti lived a life of absolute devotion to her family, hospitality to others, and service to her Lord. All of her love for family and friends was born out of love for her Savior, whom she faithfully served. She took every opportunity to point her children and grandchildren to Christ, and faithfully attended church, even in her latter years, when it was hard for her to get out and about. She will be remembered as the embodiment of Proverbs 31: --Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. --Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. --She looketh weil to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Patricia’s life will be celebrated 1PM, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel in Muskogee with Pastor Samuel Ashwood officiating. Committal prayers and interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery with John Ashwood, Sr., John Ashwood, Jr., Joshua Ashwood, Caleb Ashwood, Willie Ashwood, John David Blackwell, Steven Blackwell, and Jeremy Ogea serving as casket bearers. The family of Patricia Ann Ashwood has entrusted her care, service, and burial to Clifford D Garrett Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Muskogee. 918-910-8883. Online condolences may be left for the Ashwood family at clifforddgarrettfamilyfh.com

Patricia Ann Ashwood

April 17, 1953 - June 20, 2026