Patricia Ann Tunson, affectionately known as ‘Pat’ was born July 27, 1943 in Portales, New Mexico to Hughie “Bud” Clyde and Sister Eva Roberta Stephenson. Pat was the fourth of nine children. In the summer of 1953, her family moved from New Mexico to Pleasant Grove, Utah and later they relocated to Provo, Utah where Pat attended and graduated from Provo High School.
From an early age, Pat had a love for the Lord. While living in Provo, Pat’s mother was introduced to Dr. Rosemary Redmon Cosby (Mama) during a church service in Ogden, Utah. Inspired by Mama’s testimony, the family soon relocated to Salt Lake City and continued attending church services with Mama in her basement apartment. Pat would tell the story how prior to meeting Mama she had a dream that she was helping a black woman whom she loved. Meeting Mama and attending her church services was a pivotal moment in Pat’s life, especially given that the dream she had about helping a woman, turned out to be Mama. Mama labored with Pat, and on May 20, 1963, at the age of 18, Mama baptized Pat at Wasatch Springs and Pat received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost.
God dealt with Pat to help Mama and her family. Her mother did not initially agree, however, after Pat became ill with diphtheria, her mother changed her mind. While driving Pat to live with Mama, Pat’s throat and airways opened and her symptoms began to subside. They realized God was moving. God blessed Pat to move in with Mama and she began helping with her children and her home, especially when Mama went on missionary trips. Pat shared that they kept in contact through letters and in one of the letters Mama wrote, “Pat, you have to hold on my dear… you are my girl”.
Pat was blessed with many gifts. She worked diligently in the Church and had a true ability to adapt to many different jobs. She helped with the church services, worked with souls and even played the accordion during services. She also worked with the church businesses while assisting Mama in whatever role that she was needed. At the Southern Plantation restaurants, Pat supported Mama with cooking, helping in the commissary, with food preparation, as well as waitressing.
On February 12, 1966, on a bright and snowy day, Pat was united in holy matrimony to Jimmie Tunson Jr. Their marriage made headlines; they were the first interracial couple to be married in Salt Lake City, Utah. To their union six children were born, Tonya, Kim, Erica, Jimmie, Jason, Machoel.
Pat remained a faithful member of Faith Temple Pentecostal Church. She stayed in the church, as Mama had instructed us to do. She continued faithfully in her service for the Lord with our co-pastors, Bishop Robert C. Cosby and First Lady, Evangelist Mary M Cosby. Pat would say, “I need to do whatever my hands find to do.” No task was too small. Pat took joy in washing vegetables or running errands or whatever Bishop and Mary needed.
Pat also loved to laugh! She thoroughly enjoyed RHOSLC. Pat would say, “Mary made the show!” She would call or text anyone who had time to listen to her recap the latest episode or interview with Mary. Pat recalled Mama saying that we would one day be on TV and Pat was happy to have lived to see it come to fruition. Pat stuck by Mary and would often comment how much Mary was just like Mama.
Pat was always a hard worker. She was mindful to share her knowledge of the many tasks she had tended over the years. Pat wanted to be sure Bishop and Mary continued to have help and support. Pat loved Bishop, Mary and Robert Jr. dearly. On the night prior to her passing, Pat was planning to help Bishop and Mary the following day. God had other plans.
From 18 years old, Pat continued to help wherever she could until she peacefully departed this life at the age of 81 years. Our dear Sister Patricia Ann Tunson went home to be with the Lord on October 11, 2024. She was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
Pat was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jimmie Tunson Jr., her parents, Hughie Clyde and Eva Roberta Stephenson; two brothers and one sister.
She leaves to cherish her memory six children, Tonya Robinson (Clyde) of Indianapolis, IN, Kim Booker, Erica Walker (Cedrick), Jimmie Tunson (Lori), Jason Tunson, all of Salt Lake City, UT and Machoel Tunson of Canoga Park, CA.; nineteen grandchildren, Dominique, Andrew, Timothy “TJ”, Keith, Marcus, Shanyce, Clarice, LaTasha, Cedric, Savahn, Ashleigh, Andre’, Brittany, Jayla, Taurean, Jaylynn, Bryce, Trayven, Allante; twelve great-grandchildren; Bishop Robert C. Cosby Sr., First Lady Evangelist Mary M. Cosby, Robert Jr., her Faith Temple Pentecostal Church Family, and a whole host of relatives and friends.
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