Patti Lynn Painter

Patti Lynn Smith Painter, age 72 of Bartlesville, Oklahoma passed away October 1, 2021, after a brief fight with lung cancer, complicated with pneumonia. Patti was born in New York, May 2, 1949, under the name Dorothy Ann Lockwood. December 20, 1956, age 7, Patti was adopted by Henry B. and Edna Sterling of Canandaigua, New York, in Monroe County. Patti hated her birth name and asked her adoptive parents to change her name to her favorite singer’s “Patti Paige”. Dorothy Ann soon became Patti Lynn Sterling, legally. At age 18, Patti met a cute Sailor, Paul smith, stationed in the New York area. Paul and Patti fell in love. The couple moved to Wichita, Kansas. They were married on September 5, 1967. Two sons Jeffery, and Donnie were born of the Smiths. Eventually the Smiths family moved to Bartlesville, OK. Patti loved children and became a childcare worker and eventually created her own daycare center “Ms. Pat’s Place”. Paul and Patti also became “Guardian” of grandson Dewayne Smith. Patti became a home caregiver for her younger son Donnie, who at age 14, was critically injured in a car crash and became a paraplegic. A second tragedy happened when husband Paul was diagnosed with a brain tumor and passed away November 25, 2011. Son Donnie passed away November 20, 2018. Patti’s hobbies included a collection of “Beanie Babies” and things, ceramics, and making beautiful, beaded jewelry which she would sell. Patti also was a lover of lady’s handbags. Two years ago, after moving to “Tallgrass Estates”, Patti met a handsome elderly gentleman, a widower, Robert Painter. Patti and Robert became very good friends. Patti and Robert were united in marriage September 19, 2020. The couple moved to Bison Trails apartments. Patti is survived by husband Robert Painter, son Jeffery Smith of Bartlesville, and grandson Brandon Smith, and mate Tehya Stumblingbear of St. Louis, Missouri. Also surviving stepdaughters Carla McCarron, Leah McCarron of Bricktown, New Jersey, and Debbie Garrison of Gant, New York, step granddaughter Sarah of Gant, New York, step great grandson Aiden of Gant, New York. Also surviving are step- brothers, Robert and Alan Sterling of Canandaigua, New York. Patti is preceded in death by adoptive parents Henry and Edna Sterling of Canandaigua, New York. First husband, Paul Smith, and younger son, Donnie Smith. Patti was a member of Adams Boulevard Church of Christ, Bartlesville, OK. Any memorials may be sent to Hope Harbor Children’s Home in Claremore, OK, American Cancer Society, Or “The Journey Home”, Bartlesville/Dewey, Oklahoma

Patti Lynn Painter

May 2, 1949 - October 1, 2021