Patty Carey Bunch

Patty Carey (Kimbrell) Bunch, age 93, graduated from this life to heaven on the morning of December 9, 2024, with her son, Storm by her side. She was a resident of Hillcrest Home in Harrison, AR.

Patty was born on November 9, 1931, in Hot Springs AR, to Robert “Bob” and Agnes Kimbrell. Bob was a pharmacist, and Agnes was a public-school librarian. She attended Hot Springs public schools, growing up in her home on Oak Street next to her beloved grandmother Ethel Kimbrell’s house. She was honored as a Hot Springs Debutante before graduating from Hot Springs High School and getting an associate’s degree in art from Stephens College in Columbia, MO. She was married to Oscar J. “Buddy” Gloor in 1953 in Hot Springs. They began their family on Ranch Street in Hot Springs before moving to their new home on Oak Drive (now Oak Crest). She worked at Oscar’s Bakery as a cake decorator before devoting full time to her children. After her children were grown, she cared for her father in her home until his passing.

Patty was also a gifted artist, who explored a wide variety of art forms over the years, from oil painting to weaving. She was very active in the Hot Springs art community where she enjoyed many friends and admirers of her unique and beautiful artistic creations. When the challenges of aging set in, she even developed new forms of art that she could still do with her limited resources. She also enjoyed nature, even to the point of allowing her children to have some rather unusual pets in their home.

She worked professionally in hospitality, real estate business, and several restaurants in Hot Springs as a hostess. She was a member of Lake Valley Community Church, where she was a faithful member of a small group Bible study. She was known to her friends for her unique personality, surprising wit, and faithful interest in both her friends’ and children’s lives. She will be treasured by all as a truly one-of-a-kind and creative person who deeply cared for others.

After living for years in her Oak Crest house with her beloved cat, she moved to Harrison, AR. She lived there with son Joe and his family until a stroke she suffered in 2021 forced her to move to Hillcrest Home for full time skilled nursing care. Even in that adversity, she made friends, kept up with her family and learned to make the most of her challenging limitations. She found particular delight in going outdoors and interacting with the turtles and quail in the Hillcrest courtyard. She was blessed and often spoke of the wonderful care she received from the incredible Hillcrest staff.

She is preceded in death by her parents of Hot Springs, a sister, Kay Little (and spouse Cecil) of Lee’s Summit, MO, her first husband, Oscar J. “Buddy” Gloor of Hot Springs, and her second husband, Jack Bunch, also of Hot Springs.

She is survived by five children, Oscar J. “Joe” (Susan) Gloor of Harrison, Thresa Arthur of Hot Springs, Heather Henry of Hot Springs, Storm Gloor (Laura) of Glendale, CO, and Robin (Jason) Armitage of Hot Springs, AR. She is also survived by a niece Pamela Munyon of Lee’s Summit, MO, and nephews Scott Little and Terry Little of Kansas City, MO.

She is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Her smile, laughter, and care for others will be sorely missed by all who knew her and loved her.

Celebration of Life service for Patty will be 10 AM, Friday, January 3, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Hot Springs, AR. Online condolences can be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhome.net.

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