Patricia Louise Shouse

After a long and valiant battle, Patricia Louise "Pat" Edwards Shouse of Safford passed through the veil that separates mortality from the next phase of her life on May 7, 2026 at the age of 87 years and nine months.

She was born July 30, 1938, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Byron Charles Edwards and Jean Elizabeth Kirkpatrick Edwards.  Pat was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Elinor Ann.  She is survived by her sister Carol Jean Erickson of California, and nephews Chris (Kirsten) Erickson of California, and John Erickson of Chicago, and by three nieces and nephews, as well as by great-nieces and nephews.

Pat attended school in Omaha, graduating from the historic Central High School in 1956.  During the last part of her senior year she lived with her grandmother because her father's work with AT&T had taken him to a position in Kansas City, Mo.  He settled the family in Lawrence, KS and commuted to Kansas City in order to allow his daughters to attend the University of Kansas.

As a girl, Pat found in her grandmother's attic two books that had a profound effect on her life.  One was a bird book, which fed her interest in birds and led to her becoming an avid birder.  The other was a book of the genealogy of the Carson family of County Monaghan, Ireland.  She began to research the Carson's and her other ancestors and compiled a mountain of information.

A summer job was as swimming coach/counselor at a girls' camp in Texas that changed her life by bringing her in contact with two other counselors, who invited her to attend church with them which led to her being baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on November 2, 1957.

After completing her sophomore year at KU, she transferred to Brigham Young University where she completed her bachelor's degree in physical education in 1960.  After a few years in California, Pat returned to Kansas City where her parents were living.

On October 28, 1984, she met Jerrold Shouse at a church-sponsored single adults' devotional in Liberty, MO.  They were sealed for time and eternity in the Dallas, TX temple on February 19, 1986.

After moving to Jerrold's house in Leavenworth, Pat obtained her license to sell real estate in Kansas, as she had been doing in Missouri.  Through the years she served in various capacities in the church.  One of her favorite was in the family history center, helping others learn about their ancestors.

Pat and Jerrold retired in 2001 and moved to Safford in September of 2002.  In 2005, they volunteered to serve a senior mission, expressing a desire for a Spanish-speaking mission.  The highlight of Pat's life (and Jerrold's as well) was to be called to serve in the Veracruz, Mexico temple in 2006 - 2007.

Regarding everyday life, Pat was fond of quoting her mother: "Cleanliness is next to impossible!"  Pat will be remembered  by those who knew her as a humble, unassuming disciple of Jesus Christ, a friend, and a lover of nature.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, May 16th at 9:00 a.m. followed by the funeral at 10:00 a.m. in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 20th Street Chapel.  Interment will be in the Safford Cemetery following services.