Theresa “Teri” (O’Brien) Patchell was born July 25, 1947, in Oakland, California, to George Patrick O’Brien and Carolyn Lou (Gilman) O’Brien. Teri passed away February 9, 2026, in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, surrounded by those who loved her. Raised among the redwoods of the Russian River area in Sonoma County, Teri spent her early years riding horses through apple orchards and vineyards, playing cowboys and Indians and embracing the spirit of the wild and free. She graduated from Classen High School in 1965 and moved to Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, in 1966. In early adulthood, Teri married Edward C. Patchell, a fiery and passionate firefighter. Together, they devoted themselves to raising a loving family. They poured their hearts into providing their kids with opportunities to grow, explore and learn. Teri later found lasting companionship and love with Jim Swope, sharing over 20 joyful years together.
Teri’s life was one of service and creativity. She worked at the Southern Oklahoma Resource Center, supporting individuals with disabilities, and later earned her associate degree in occupational therapy from Oklahoma City Community College in 1997—an achievement that reflected her dedication to helping others. Her true career, however, was making a home. She supported her husbands in their endeavors and built a life filled with love, warmth and care.
Deeply engaged in her community, Teri was active in church, served as a Scout leader (Den Mother), participated in the PTA, and extended kindness wherever she went. Her faith guided her, and she strived to share God’s love in both word and action.
Teri found joy in life’s simple and meaningful pleasures: painting, poetry, art, gardening, raising chickens, crocheting, sewing and spending time with animals. A lifelong music lover and an avid Seattle Seahawks fan, she smiled the day before her passing when she found out they won the Super Bowl. She never missed a moment to celebrate life’s victories—big or small.
She was a phenomenal cook, known especially for her pineapple upside-down cake, cookies and hearty home-cooked meals. Her greatest joys were her children, grandchildren, and the bonds she shared with her husbands, sisters, and lifelong friends.
Teri leaves behind a legacy of honesty, integrity, pride, honor and unconditional love. She taught those around her to help others, to live fully, and to love deeply— especially God. Teri was, in her own words, a “lover, fighter, and wildhorse rider.” Her spirit lives on in the lives she touched, the family she nurtured, and the lessons she passed on.
Teri was preceded in death by her husbands, Edward C. Patchell and James Swope; parents, George and Carolyn (Gilman) O’Brien; sister, Charmaine Seachrist; and her daughter, Louise P. Jones.
Teri is survived by her sons, William Allen Patchell (Brenda) of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Edward Carroll Patchell and wife Amy of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Benjamin West Patchell (Shanna) of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma; sisters, Yvonne Bailey of Sulphur, Oklahoma, and Yvette Rogers of California; grandchildren, Ciera Wells, Lauren Cook, Kelby Patchell, Aaron Patchell, Kaleb Patchell, Ella Jones, Brayden Patchell, Creel Patchell, Keylee Patchell, Shylure Patchell, Sierra Morris, Briar Morris and Terrill Ferris; great-grandchildren, Creed, Kaiser, Evelynn, Rylyn, Reagan, Ryker, Remington, Rinley, Addie, Avery, Amelia, Della, Kinlyn, Brazelyn, Hazelyn, Emberlyn and Baelfire; and a host of other friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, Teri has made a specific request to have donations be made in her name to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation at 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104; the Nora Sparks Warren Library at 210 N. Willow Street, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma 73075; and Crossroads Church at 32145 E County Road 1570, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.
Services for Teri will be Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Crossroads Church in Pauls Valley, with Brock Carlile officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, 2026, and Friday, February 20, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Wooster Funeral Home in Pauls Valley.
