The Duncan Banner

Local News

Related Photos

  • Levi and Sissy Patterson spent 24 days at the burn center in Oklahoma City while he was treated for 1st to 3rd degree burns. Courtesy of the Pattersons

    Levi and Sissy Patterson.jpg
January 15, 2013

Tragedies don’t deter young couple

Rebeka Rutledge The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Though many may have been looking at the beginning of 2013 as a fresh start, not many were looking forward to it as much as Marlow residents Levi and Sissy Patterson after the loss of two children and a house fire, where Levi was severely burned.

Both Stephens County natives, Levi graduated from Marlow in 2010 and Sissy from Duncan in 2009. To say the young couple, who were married May 2011, had a tough past year would be an understatement and most would not be able to maintain the positive, upbeat attitude the Patterson’s exhibit.

Sissy gave birth to their first child, a little girl they named Daylee, Feb. 15, 2012, after a normal pregnancy and labor besides the c-section needed due to the baby being breech. Three days later, Daylee’s first day at home with her parents, Sissy laid her down for what should have been a normal infant nap.

“I went to lay her down and I noticed her color had faded, so I called 911 and we started CPR on her,” said Sissy. “The paramedics got there and took over and we weren’t allowed to go with her in the ambulance.”

Later that day, the Patterson’s were told the Daylee had not made it. An autopsy showed she had been a perfectly healthy baby and her death was labeled as the result of Sudden Death Infant Syndrome.

“The next few days, my body was just in shock,” Sissy said. “The autopsy dragged funeral plans out and I was scared to view her; it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do.”

Despite the pain Daylee’s loss caused the couple, they still desperately wanted a child in their life, so they tried again. Sissy found out she was pregnant in September, but suffered a miscarriage the next month.

“We were still mourning Daylee but we were excited when we found out I was pregnant. It was going to be a fresh start,” she said. “Leaving the hospital two times in one year without a baby is devastating. Losing a child is the worse type of grief.”

The line of unfortunate events for the Patterson’s continued when only two weeks later, the pot of grease where they had been frying french fries caught fire. Levi grabbed it off the stove to take it outside but the fire leaped into his face and then he dumped the grease all over himself and in the living room floor.

“It engulfed the living room in flames, then I fell into it and she (Sissy) pulled me out,” said Levi. “It happened really fast.”

In the one hour they spent in the Duncan Regional Hospital emergency room, Sissy said she kept asking over and over if she was going to lose her husband. After losing two babies, the loss of Levi was her worse fear. She was assured he would live but had to be taken to a burn care center for treatment of 1st to 3rd degree burns.

Levi spent 24 days in the Integris Baptist Burn Center, where he had skin graphs done and still has to go regularly for wound care. With his being the only income, the time out from work, which he can’t return to until completely healed, bills racked up and they are temporarily living with Levi’s family. However, they keep a smile on their face and happiness in their heart while looking forward to having a better year.

“We’re in survival mode,” said Levi. “It could have been worse, I could have died.”

“We have our break downs but we’re looking at the little blessings,” Sissy added. “We have a strong belief in God and that is what brought us through everything.

That, and we have an amazing support system of family friends and church family.”

Already, things are looking up in the new year for the young couple after medical bills from the miscarriage were written off by DRH, Sissy got a job and they’re even planning for another child.

Another blessing is an upcoming benefit concert to help pay the bills for Levi’s care.

While free, offerings are going to be taken at the concert at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Marlow High School auditorium. Featured will be Victory Road, a gospel band founded by Levi and Sissy’s former pastors Rick and Julie Neathery, the Matt Bernard Family Ministry, a multi-talented local band, Trinity, a vocal group with members from Lone Grove and Fox ministries and Levi’s aunt Angela Harrison.

“It feels so good to have that support and I’m hoping this year it’s going to be better,” said Sissy. “I believe it will, I believe God will bless us.”

Text Only
Local News
  • Commissioners discuss temporary fix to courthouse air conditioning issues

    The Board of Stephens County Commissioners held an emergency meeting Thursday to find a temporary solution for cooling off the courthouse, until a new system can be installed. Commissioners approved a temporary solution from Allied Services in Ardmore and will rent an air conditioning unit for $10,000 for the first month and $7,000 for the second month. The commissioners estimate it will take about two months for any company to get a new Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system in stock.

    May 24, 2013

  • DPS administrators discuss inclement weather procedures

    On Thursday, Duncan school administrators participated in a district-wide de-briefing to discuss how Monday’s reaction to a tornado threat went at each school. Superintendent Sherry Labyer said the response was overwhelmingly positive.
    Labyer said the school district will look to improve its procedures.

    May 24, 2013

  • Substitute teacher saves special education students from tornado

    When the F-5 tornado did its damage at Plaza Towers Elementary in Moore on Monday, and after the silence had passed, one little boy looked at his teacher and asked where his backpack was.
    “I don’t know, but we’ll look for it later,” Joy Hendrix said to  him.

    May 24, 2013

  • Velma-Alma Graduation A celebration of faith and unity
    There was a sense of celebration and appreciation throughout the J.M Carey Fieldhouse Thursday night in Velma. 
    With the graduation ceremony commencing for the Velma-Alma High School Class of 2013, came an assortment of emotions, all telling a story.
    In total 31 students walked the stage to receive their diplomas on the evening.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • 5-24 ginger.jpg Velma native runs only to discover home annihilated

    Stuck in traffic trying to get to his home, Roger Graham decided he might as well park the car and run. A Moore resident, the accountant, dressed in casual business attire, didn’t think twice about the distance.
    “It was two miles,” he said. “I just took off.” His wife, Kalissa, a school teacher, was right behind him.

    May 24, 2013 1 Photo

  • Duncan students to remain in school Tuesday, Wednesday
    When Duncan seniors cross the stage tonight, they won’t necessarily be done with high school.
    Duncan students will go to school Tuesday and Wednesday, following a three-day weekend for Memorial Day. DHS Assistant Principal Merry Stone said those two days are regular school days for students.

    May 24, 2013

  • Moore Tornado Showcases Advancements in Warnings

    Despite the utter devastation left in the wake of the massive tornado that tore through Moore, Okla. on Monday, the deadly storm, in many ways, helped showcase how far scientists have come in providing communities early tornado warning signs.

    May 23, 2013

  • ODOT efforts hampered by general public traffic

    Oklahoma Department of Transportation is requesting that motorists avoid I-35 through Moore, S. 19th Street because the ramp is closed and emergency and clean-up crews are hampering their efforts.

    May 23, 2013

  • 5-23 EMS Week.jpg National EMS Week shines spotlight on rescue workers

    The Air Evac helicopter was sitting on the helipad at Duncan Regional Hospital Wednesday, but not for emergency reasons.
    National EMS Week, May 19-25, is about connecting with the community and the Air Evac Lifeteam was doing just that.
    “Every base we have is doing something like this during the week,” said Heather Taylor, Air Evac program director. “We want to show appreciation to our community.”

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Restaurant rumors remain on the hot plate

    From IHOP and HomeTown Buffet to Chili’s and Olive Garden, restaurant whisperings have been running rampant in the community since the arrival of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar.
    Although there are a few open spaces such as the old Golden Corral location and the soon-to-close Honda site, none of these rumors can be confirmed at this point according to Chris Deal, Duncan Chamber of Commerce president. No information on any of the businesses’ websites points to them opening a new location in the area.

    May 23, 2013