Ethel Patricia "Pat" Sonnevelt

Ethel Patricia Sonnevelt, better known to her family & friends as Pat, was born on January 14, 1929 to Bert Sanders and Mabel Lucile Rausenberger in Ryan, OK. Mabel passed away on July 21, 1930 & Bert then married Lou Ella Jones on March 27, 1937. Ethel passed on Tuesday May 6, 2025. She met her husband Robert Bob Sonnevelt & they were married June 28, 1963.

They then settled in Bridgeport, TX in 1985 with their 3 children, daughter Beckie Wardlow (Bridgeport, TX), son Ricky Lee Sonnevelt (Saginaw, TX), & son Stanley Wayne Sonnevelt (Dallas, GA).

Pat was preceded in death by her husband Bob, brothers Clarence Franklin Sanders (Conroe, TX) & Troy Sanders (Anadarko, OK).

She is survived by her sister Betty Echols (Wichita Falls, TX) & her 3 children. Pat leaves behind 7 grandchildren, 13 great- grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, & numerous nieces & nephews.

Pat worked at Southwestern Bell for 32 years, where she began as a Switchboard Operator. She became a pioneer for working women, earning the right to get certified & become one of the first women Framemen in the industry. She was the first Framemen with Southwestern Bell during her time there. As a member of Telephone Pioneers of America, she fought for women’s equality in the labor force. Pat has been a cherished member of First Baptist Church Chico, where she stayed actively involved with the well-being of her church family. Pat loved living on the lake, fishing, skiing, and as we all know, she always enjoyed the wonderful fish fry at the end of the day. She was active at the Springtown Senior Center playing bingo, dominoes, line dancing, or just having lunch with her group of friends. Pat’s warm heart, big smile, & love will forever be cherished & missed by all her family & friends.

Services will be held on Saturday May 17, 2025 at First Baptist Church Chico. The family will receive guests at 10AM for the viewing, followed by the memorial service at 11AM, followed by the graveside service at East Bridgeport Cemetery. Family & friends are invited to return to First Baptist Church Chico for a potluck lunch at 1:30PM. The family requests that flowers be sent to Hawkins Funeral Home in Bridgeport, TX.

Revelations 3:20—"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Hawkins Funeral Home Bridgeport

940-683-2211

www.hawkinsfuneralhome.com