In the early morning of May 27, 2024 at her home, Patricia “Patty” Whitfield Baskin, 72, of Durant, Okla., miraculously departed from her earthly body, leaving her family with the assurance that she was immediately swept into the arms of her Savior, freed from her suffering earlier than anticipated, and just as they fervently prayed for. 
Patty was born in Miami, Fla., to the late Ordell and Otto Brady, the second of their four children. She loved surfing Miami Beach, skiing, and fishing with her family. As a child, she spent time traveling to Durant to visit her grandfather, Dr. R.E. Sawyer, and so she moved to finish her final college years at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, studying music with the late Dr. James Wintle. She absolutely came to life under the spotlight, singing and acting. On campus is where she first laid eyes on her husband Wade Baskin, and so their 53-year adventure began!
Before embracing motherhood, Patty taught music at Caddo Elementary School. Although only there for a short time, her family has been regaled with stories for years from her former students. Then after working for her father at the family restaurant, Patty and Wade became the proud owners of what is known today as The Branding Iron – a staple in the history of Durant. As a Christian, she had the opportunity to pour into so many young men and women that worked there through the years. She was also involved in ministries at First Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Gerald Tidwell.
Patty was a dynamic woman, fondly referred to as a hoot, the life of the party, a riot, and always making people laugh. She had the gift of wisdom, a hungry love of life, and was a prayer warrior for anyone in need. She was the person you called if you wanted something done, and wanted it done right. She was the great encourager and counselor to her children, and the mom-away-from-home to so many of their friends. She instilled in her kids a zest for adventure and a love for the beautiful outdoors that God has created. She taught Wade and her kids how to fish, how to water ski, how to turn something as simple as a walk along the creek into an epic experience (that likely involved doing semi-dangerous wildly fun things!).
Patty believed it was her calling to be a homemaker – to provide a place where her husband and children could thrive, and worked tirelessly for their benefit. She made a beautiful home; she loved growing peonies and lilies and displaying her cuttings in vases, and she had her hummingbirds outside of her windows that she enjoyed. She spearheaded countless family vacations and showed her children the world. She loved Wade with an unmatched fierceness. She was his best friend, his faithful encourager, and his rock. He would make her laugh hysterically with his antics, and she loved nothing more than a road trip with Wade to go explore the next place.
Patty’s greatest love in life was the Lord, and then her family. She had complete confidence and assurance in Christ that she will be reunited with Wade, Summer, Whit, Brady, and Season. She was everything dynamic and wild and beautiful, but above all she was courageous. She gave Wade the gift of knowing Christ. She boldly knocked on strangers’ doors to share with them the love of Jesus. And that love has rippled through their families, and their children, and now the next generation. Today, there are people who have a relationship with Christ because Patty loved the Lord, and loved her neighbor, and was a courageous woman. That is her greatest legacy.
“She is worth far more than rubies…Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all…” Proverbs 31 
Patty was preceded in death by her parents, Ordell and Otto Brady; her brother, Michael Brady, and brothers-in-law, Mike Baskin and Paul Lovan.
Patty is survived by her husband, Wade; her children: Summer (Rob) Rogan, Whit (Terri Ayotte) Baskin, Brady (Sarah) Baskin, and Season; her sisters, Shelley (Charles Matthews) Lovan and Kelley (Joseph) Hubbard; her sisters-in-law, Patti Brady, Ann Baskin, and Eve Baskin; her brother-in-law, Danny Baskin; her grandchildren: Scout, Abigail, Hannah, Otto, and Harlan-Wade; her cherished lifelong confidant, Karolyn Huggins, and many loved nieces and nephews.
A Celebration Service in honor of Patty’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Durant, Okla., officiated by Pastor Garry McNeill.
Family Hour will be from 6-8 p.m. on Friday May 31, 2024, at Brown’s Funeral Service in Durant, Okla. Honorary pallbearers are just some of the boys who spent hours playing in Patty’s house as kids; Kyle Richardson, Jason Byrd, JJ Barker, Jason Brady, Jonathan Huggins, Les Griffin, Perry Griffin, and the late Jeff Vietta.
A special thank you to the community of Durant for the outpouring of love and generosity and meals for Wade and the kids. A grateful heart for Patty’s caregivers in her last two days, and Guardian Hospice nurses Tia and Sarah.
Arrangements under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service.
