SEPTEMBER 18, 1944 – JUNE 29, 2026
In the Care of Laird Funeral Home
Funeral service for Patricia Daniels, 81, of Carthage, Texas will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026 at Laird Funeral Home with Bro. Ronnie Mutina officiating. Interment will follow at Shady Grove Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026 at Laird Funeral Home.
Nurses are often misunderstood because people do not realize they do more than just check blood pressure and pulse. Pat was that nurse. She did it all and was depended upon by many. Some would say she was bossy, but she absolutely got the job done, took care of her patients, coworkers and the doctors that needed her by their side. She was brilliant, driven, dedicated and had the heart of a servant, which is precisely why she was good at what she did and left an undeniable mark on those who were lucky enough to know her, work with her or met her through the care she gave them.
Patricia was born and raised in Missouri near Kansas City. She met and married John Robert Daniels in 1963 and together, they had their two daughters, Rebecca and Christy. John was an outdoorsman and in 1972, while on a fishing trip to Toledo Bend, he realized he had found their new home. He got a job and told Pat to sell the house, pack up the girls and come to Texas! Pat loved it here and while she was working a night shift job, she put herself through nursing school. This turned into the dream she never knew she had. The next 20 years were spent in Nacogdoches and although they went their separate ways in 1991, they remained dear friends until John’s passing in 1993. Pat then bought a house in Northwood Forest where she remained until 2022 when her health initiated a move to Carthage so she was closer to Becky.
Pat’s life was centered around her 30 plus years nursing career but it was more than that. She also cared for people in her family, supported them in any way they needed, helped raise grandchildren and nieces and nephews and never failed to have sweets made for all to enjoy at “Granny’s” as she was so lovingly known. She wanted things her way but no one ever doubted that she would give them her heart out of her chest if it made their life easier.
Traveling was something else she did rather well! She was the planner and enjoyed many trips across the country with family and friends but her most memorable times were spent at her property in Branson, Missouri or in Florida walking along the beautiful beaches. She never missed a moment organizing the exact details of these trips and then perfectly executed them.
Pat is survived by her daughter Becky Mutina and husband Ronnie; grandchildren, Timothy Daniels, Aaron Wittington, Chase Mutina & wife Brandy, Mark Mutina & wife Jennifer and Ryan Mutina & wife Miranda; siblings, John Burton & wife Patti and Myrtleen Burdin along with a host of wonderful friends that brought great joy to her life.
She is preceded in death by her mother Ruby Margaret Burton; daughter Christy Burch; grandson David Whittington; sister Jeannie Burdin and 2 great grandchildren who she now can hold and show her love to. She is also preceded in death by John Daniels, her lifelong friend and father of her children.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia, please visit Laird Funeral Home’s floral store.