Obituary: Patricia “Patty” Annette Mandrell

For The Madera Tribune

Patricia “Patty” Annette Mandrell.

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Patricia “Patty” Annette Mandrell, 78, unexpectedly went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Merced, CA, while surrounded by her family. Patty was born on Jan. 26, 1947, in Madera, CA, to William and Ruby Walker. Her family soon included a little sister: Beverly. She grew up in the Dos Palos/Oro Loma area helping in the family grocery stores. She stood on a box so she would be tall enough to work the register.

Patty had a love for animals. During her childhood she had dogs and cats for pets along with spider monkeys, a skunk and a raccoon named Mike. She loved riding horses and her favorite horse was named Prince. In her later years, she rescued a number of dogs and cats. She graduated from Dos Palos High School in 1965. One of her treasured memories from high school was going with the high school band to Washington, D.C., to march in Lyndon Johnson’s Inaugural Parade. She attended Coalinga College, majoring in journalism. Following college, she worked at the Madera Credit Bureau until she met her future husband: Lyndon Mandrell. She and Lyndon were married in 1968 and they made a life in Chowchilla. She truly embraced being part of the community of Chowchilla. Their family soon grew to include two daughters: Tricia and Stacy.

Patty was a devoted mother who attended every school and sporting event. She was classroom mother for her daughter’s classes, beginning in kindergarten, volunteering in the classroom and making elaborate cakes for every holiday at school. Patty volunteered at KAMB Christian Radio Station in Merced for many years.

After her daughters went off to college, Patty began working at the Chowchilla News, where she soon became editor of the paper. She loved being involved in the community and reporting on the events in the city. She was always on the go, reporting on a story. She covered everything from local government and community activities to births and sporting events. She volunteered with the Madera County Net Team while she worked at the newspaper. She enjoyed working closely with the Chowchilla Police Department and Fire Department, and often cooked meals for the entire police shift on weekends. She was known as the department mom.

Patty was an excellent cook. She baked pies for the various fund-raising dinners for local organizations. Her pies would always be auctioned off for top dollar with bids as high as a thousand dollars or more.

She received many awards while editor of the Chowchilla News including twice being chosen for the Golden Apple Award for the Madera County School District, the City of Chowchilla Mayor’s Award, three times awarded resolutions from the California Legislature Assembly, twice awarded the Citizen of the Year Award for Chowchilla by the Madera-Fresno Fire Chiefs, Citizen of the Year Award from the National FFA Organization, Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award for the Chowchilla Police Department, Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award from the Chowchilla Fire Department, Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award from the Chowchilla District Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Public Service Award from the Chowchilla Rotary Club, Citizen of the Year from VFW Post 9896 and Citizen of the Year from American Legion Post 148. She was selected to be the Grand Marshall for the Chowchilla Western Stampede in 2017.

She was proud of the work she did as editor of the paper. She served as president of the Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce in 2002 implementing the Christmas Decorating Contest that is still a tradition today. She served on the Board of Directors for the P.A.L. program and Jobs’ Daughters Bethel 192. She was a member of the Chowchilla Lioness Club.

In 2013, the joy of her life entered her world: her grandson Jacob was born. She was a loving and doting mema. She enjoyed spending time with her family and being active in her community. Patty has always had a close walk with God and was active in her church. She was a Sunday school for many years. She was a member of the El Nido Missionary Baptist Church. Patty was a ‘people person’ and loved visiting and talking with those around her. She never met a stranger. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lyndon Mandrell and her parents William and Ruby Walker. She is survived by her daughters, Tricia Placencia and husband David; Stacy Burns and husband Keith and grandson, Jacob Burns all of Chowchilla; one sister, Beverly Walker of Madera; nieces, Tanya Gutierrez and Becky Gutierrez of Madera; one nephew Nathan Mandrell of Morgan Hill along with many cousins, great-nieces and great nephews.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Palm Memorial Warden Chapel in Chowchilla. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 6, at Cornerstone Community Church in Chowchilla with burial at Chowchilla District Memorial Cemetery in Chowchilla followed by a time of fellowship.