Patricia Ruth Pierce died August 11, 2015 at Cox South Hospital following a sudden heart episode. She was born on March 17, 1925 in Cherokee, Oklahoma to David W. Pierce and Gladys Elkins Pierce. Living in Alva, Oklahoma until graduation from high school, she then completed a Bachelor of Music degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin (1947). Two years later she finished a Master of Music degree at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, receiving the Stanley Award for Piano Performance. Her teaching career began with two years at the University of Michigan and three summers at the National Music Camp at Interlochen. Then, followed a year at William Carey College in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and two years at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky studying church music and teaching piano. In 1954 she joined the music faculty of Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU) in Springfield and remained there until retirement in 1989. Three of those years were spent in graduate study at the University of Washington and in Germany as the recipient of a Fulbright grant. While in Europe she traveled in Italy, Spain, Austria, England, and Scotland. For several years she played concerts in Midwestern states under the auspices of Young Artists Bureau. Her performances with orchestra include the Louisville Symphony, the National Music Camp Honors Orchestra, the University of Michigan Symphony, and the SMSU Symphony. Programs included many solo faculty concerts, chamber music recitals and accompaniments for faculty and an occasional guest artist. She was the first accompanist for Mid-America Chorale and the first to give a multi-media performance in the Midwest with sound and visuals. Pat was a member and past president of Delta Kappa Gamma (Alpha Kappa Chapter) and the alumnae chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota and was the chairman of Keyboard, a group affiliate with SMMA. As a member of St. James Episcopal Church she sang in the choir for over ten years as well as being the substitute organist. In later years she enjoyed the challenge of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune as well as numerous board games and cards. When she could no longer go boating or swim off the dock, she could be found in her corner chair by the glass-walled sun porch enjoying the pleasures of others in Table Rock Lake. She could tell you the colors and personalities of all passing boats as well as the antics of birds and squirrels on numerous feeders. Weekends at the lake were most enjoyable when friends of all ages stayed over. In her 40 years at the lake, hundreds of friends shared in her love of music as she played piano accompanying others with various instruments. Two days prior to her passing, she spent the evening at her home on the main deck overlooking Table Rock Lake surrounded by people who loved music and listened as she quietly encouraged the young artist, who was performing, to follow his heart and pursue his music career. The past five winters were spent in Saint Petersburg, Florida where she quickly became friends of people from various states and countries. Preceded in death by her parents and brother James, survivors include a niece Susan and sister-in-law Betty in Huntington Beach, California and long-time companion of 40 years Patricia Elaine Allen. Visitation will be Saturday, August 15, 2015 at 10:00 a.m., followed by services at 11:00 a.m. in St. James Episcopal Church on Southern Hills Boulevard. Interment will follow at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens. A Celebration of Life will be at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Patricia R. Pierce Guest Artist Fund at MSU, 300 S. Jefferson Ave, Ste 100, Springfield, MO 65806, or St. James Episcopal Church, 2645 E. Southern Hill Blvd., Springfield, MO 65804. Online condolences may be made at www.gormanscharpf.com