Patricia Ann Adams Oberbillig was born in Akron, Ohio on August 30, 1943, to Jim Floyd Adams and Maggie Bell Hargroves Adams, who were both born in Trigg County, Kentucky. She was the tenth of eleven children born to Jim and Maggie. She lived in Cadiz, Kentucky, during her younger childhood. She returned to Akron during elementary school and graduated from South High School in 1961.
Pat married James Richard Ryan on February 10, 1962 when she was 18 years old. James was a native of Akron, Ohio. Trisha and James had two children, Kent Richard on September 11, 1962 and Connie Lynn on January 9, 1964. The family eventually settled in Des Moines, Iowa in 1974 after short stints living in Ohio, Michigan, and Kentucky.
Raising her children was Pat’s primary focus for several years but eventually knew that she was called to be in ministry. She first attended Drake University and received her Bachelor's degree in 1982 (summa cum laude). Pat then travelled to Kansas City, Missouri each week for three years to earn her Master of Divinity (MDiv) at Saint Paul School of Theology and was ordained into ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1985.
Pat's ministry in the central Iowa area spanned more than three decades. She served as chaplain at Ramsey Home from 1983 to 1994. She was a chaplain at Hospice of Central Iowa and pastor at Runnells Christian Church in Runnells, Iowa from 1994 - 1999. She served Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines as the Minister of Pastoral Care beginning in 1999 and retired in 2008. Pat never really retired as she continued her ministry through Iles Funeral Homes in Des Moines as the Community Education Director. She was active in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) regional ministry serving on the Commission on Ministry from 2006 - 2016, including four years as Chair of the Ordination Unit.
Pat's love of music, and particularly singing, was central in her life. Her beautiful, clear soprano voice was a gift to all. Over the years, she shared her voice in church choirs, community ensembles, and performances at the Des Moines Playhouse, including Desiree in "A Little Night Music." Her voice and the many solos she shared are cherished memories for family and friends. Amazing Grace, O Holy Night, and especially The Lord's Prayer will always be heard by many in Pat's soaring voice.
On September 18, 1999, Pat married her second husband, Robert Charles Oberbillig. They shared 19 years together before her death. They loved cheering for the Chicago Cubs, the Des Moines Symphony, the Des Moines Metro Opera, traveling the world, enjoying good food and wine, and most especially spending time with their large family and many friends.
She died at home in Des Moines, Iowa on October 2, 2018 after a five-month struggle with Glioblastoma. She was cremated.
LINEAGE: (Patricia Ann Adams Ryan Oberbillig was the daughter of James Floyd and Maggie Bell Hargroves Adams, the granddaughter of John Quincy and Suphronia Adeline Williams Adams and the great-granddaughter of John Wylie and Martha Jane Coleman Adams. Martha Jane was the second child of Alfred Boyd and Alpha Thomas Coleman. Alpha was the second child of Perry and Elizabeth Bridges Thomas. Perry was the third child of James and Mary Standley Thomas. Elizabeth was the sixth child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)
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