Obit – Pat Landreth
First and foremost, at this time, the children would like to thank each person who has prayed for, called, texted, visited, brought food, and was there for us in any way during this time. Thanks to all the healthcare providers who cared for her and assisted her in her well-being during her last days.
Arvilla Mae Catherine Stanage Lancaster-Landreth (Pat, or as she was most well-known, Ma), went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 18, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Thursday, February 26, 1931 in Mishawwaka, Indiana to Fredrick D. Stranage Sr and Edith Marie Landry Stanage. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her brothers: Dale, Dick, Kenneth, Robert, and Phillip George Stanage, as well as her sisters: Marie Sandefur, Ethel McCormack-Hickman, Phyllis Caparell-Wordinger. She was also preceded in death by children Anna Sue, Robert A., and John Lancaster as well as her daughter-in-law Peggy Stanage.
Pat was raised in and around the Mishawaka and South Bend, Indiana area. At the age of 17, while working as a ticket teller at the theater in South Bend, she was approached by a promoter and asked if she would like to train to be a lady boxer. She said “Sure, I have five brothers, I believe I can do that.” So, at the age of 17, she began her boxing training around the campus of Notre Dame University. She fought around Mishawaka, South Bend, Iowa, and Nebraska. She had a record of 18-1; losing only her first fight. In her last fight, she fought against Joanne Hagen in the World Lady Boxing Championship bout in Council Bluffs, Iowa. After 3 rounds, Hagen refused to come out in the fourth round, which meant Pat won the championship by TKO.
In September 1950. Pat was on her way back home one night with a few girlfriends. Their car was sideswiped by another car. She was the most seriously injured, thereby ending her boxing career. After numerous surgeries and months of rehab, she was able to be released home.
She later met Robert J. (Brother) Lancaster from Tennessee. They were married on October 22, 1953. Together they had 10 more children to add to the six they had between them. He preceded her in death on January 22, 1994.
She eventually met and married Bill “Big-D” Landreth in 1999. They had 4 good years together bringing together their large families.
Some of her biggest accomplishments, aside from her large, loving family, were retiring from Bon-L, buying her own home after Brother died, her beloved pearl-white 1995 Ford Thunderbird with her special “Lady Champ” license plate, and in 2019 being inducted into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame in San Francisco, California.
Surviving Mrs. Lancaster-Landreth are her children: Tommy Lancaster, daughter-in-law Paula Lancaster, Mike (Debra) Lancaster, Allen “Rooster” Stanage, Sue Gentry, Phyllis (Eugene) Holman, Ruby (Larry) Watts, Bill Lancaster, Jim Lancaster (Peggy Alea), Tim Lancaster, Jeff (Tina) Lancaster, George (Cindy) Lancaster, Penny Thomas, Peggy (Floyd) Massey, Ann (Brian)Smith, “special adopted neighbor-daughter” Helga (Matt) Gammons and son Dylan. Bill Landreth, Bob Landreth, Kathy (Ned) Martin, David (Rachel) Landreth, Frank Landreth, Connie Landreth, and their respective families.
Grandchildren: Amy (Milt) Collins, Bobby (Sharon) Lancaster, Anna (Donald) Albritton, Janie (Jimmy)Parks, Jason Lancaster, John (Cynthia) Lancaster, Kelsey (Mark) Bitner, Michael (Natalie) Lancaster, Tyler (Shannon) Lancaster, Anna Gentry, Drew (Kristy) Gentry, Missy (Thomas) Sliger, Kim (Gary) Litaker, Rachel (Logan) Vanatta, Beth Watts, Kenneth (Cassondra) Watts, Ashley Brewington, Madison Beale, Jacob (Cassondra) Alea, Alex Alea, Devan (Justin Maggart) Lancaster, Patrick Lancaster, Lynnleigh Lancaster, Emily Lancaster, Jacob (Rebecca) Lancaster, Ross (Jessi) Bearden, Chris (Katie) Bearden, Megan (Nick) Campbell, Jessica (Adam) Overstreet, Katelyn (Jared) Croslin, Julia (JD) Butler, Will Massey, Bryson Smith, Kynadee Smith, Kambri Smith. 71 Great-Grandchildren. 14 Great-Great Grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends Jolene Ellis and Gentiva Hospice family.
Anyone who knew her, knew she was affectionately known as Ma. Everyone who met her called her Ma and she loved everyone and everyone loved her. We will all miss you Ma. We “Love you more!”
Mrs. Landreth was at the Gordonsville Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes. Funeral services for Mrs. Landreth were conducted on Wednesday August 21 2024 at 4 PM at the Gordonsville Methodist Church with Bro Floyd Massey and Bro Dickie Johnson officiating and Tom McCormich bringing the Eulogy. Interment followed in the Gordonsville Cemetery.
Mrs. Landreth’s family request donations in her memory be made to Shriners Children Hospital Or to Break T1D (Junior Diabetes) at www.2.breakthrough T1D.org or make check to Bill Lancaster.
BASS of GORDONSVILLE
