Pat Steele Qualls

2023 Inductee

Pat Qualls was born May 13, 1940 and learned about demanding work helping out on the family cotton farm where she grew up in Northeast Arkansas. That farm work ethic helped her succeed as an all-state basketball player at Monette High School and also as a young pianist. After graduating from Arkansas State College with a bachelor’s degree in music education, Pat was hired in 1963 as the first music teacher in the Monette Public Schools. She later earned her master’s degree in music education at Arkansas State University. At Monette, she built a very successful and respected choral program. Unable to find a suitable music workbook for her 6th grade music classes, she wrote and published her own music workbook: “Learning to Read Music.” One year, she coached the Jr. and Sr. girls’ basketball programs while keeping her full music load. The Monette Lions Club honored Pat on her retirement after sixteen years of service at Monette Public Schools by dedicating to her their 14th annual Lions Club Horse Show. From 1976 – 1983, Pat also served as the part time music director at Monette First Baptist Church.

Pat then moved to Lake City where her late husband Bill Qualls was farming and opened a private music studio teaching piano, voice, and organ. Shortly after that Pat was elected as the mayor of Lake City, the first woman ever elected to municipal office in Craighead County. Lake City sits on the banks of the St. Francis River where flooding has always been a concern. One of Pat’s major accomplishments as mayor was to obtain Corp of Engineer’s funding for drainage improvements; she also expanded the sewer system. Pat was successful in getting a nursing home established in Lake City.

In 1983, during her second term as Lake City Mayor, Governor Bill Clinton appointed her to serve on the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC). After completing her first partial term, she was appointed to two more terms, serving a total of 14 years, longer than any other APSC Commissioner. Pat served on the National Association Regulatory Utility Commissions executive and electricity committees. She served as Vice President and President of the Mid-America Regulatory Commissions

In 1985, at the age of 45, Pat fulfilled a long-time dream of learning to play the harp. She played twice in the White House during President Clinton’s administration. She also directed the Immanuel Baptist Church Chancel Bells at a performance in the White House. The Chancel Bells also performed with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in three concerts.

Pat retired from state government and moved to Jonesboro in 2002. In that year she was inducted into the Arkansas Music Educators “Hall of Fame.” In 2003, she organized the first “Celebrity Bell Ringers” day; served on the Salvation Army Board and was named 2008 “Volunteer of the Year.” Pat felt led to teach a 16-year-old autistic girl to play the harp which led to a 2010 innovative music performance program for musicians with disabilities. It eventually grew into a unique program that included scholarships, private lessons, public performance, and concert tours. In 2019, for the 10th Annual program of “The Role of Music in the Lives of Special Needs Children and Adults”, there were over 75 performers who shared their talents with a near-capacity crowd in the ASU Fowler Center. This concert featured male & female soloists; male trio; male & female duet; pianist; violinist: harpist; native American flute player, trumpeter; the 40 voice “Overcomers Choir “organized by Pat, and a liturgical dance team traveling from Atlanta. A wide array of disabilities included: Autism, MS, Cerebral Palsy, Aspergers, Blindness, Down Syndrome and Deafness. For her work with special needs musicians, Pat was awarded the Jonesboro Exchange Club’s “Book of Golden Deeds” Award and the “Making a Difference” award by the Arkansas State University College of Nursing and Health Professions. She also received KAIT-TV/First Community Bank “Great Acts of Kindness Award.” Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin proclaimed “Pat Qualls Day” April 30, 2013. The Arkansas Arts Council awarded Pat with the “2021 Governor’s Arts Award for Community Service for over sixty years as an arts leader and advocate, as well as serving as an Arkansas Public Service Commissioner for 14 years and the mayor of Lake City for 4 years.

Other honors received by Pat Qualls include being named among the 1965 & 1970 Outstanding Young Women of America, the 1973 Outstanding Secondary Educators of America, and the 1981 Personalities of the South. She was honored with the Monette PTA Life Membership Award. She served as Alpha Delta Kappa Treasurer and President. She received the Monette Fine Arts Council Award. She is an honorary member of the Monette 4H Club. She served as president and treasurer of the NEA Choral Directors Association as well as the Arkansas Choral Directors Association treasurer and historian. From 2002-2005, Pat served on the Delta Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors. From 2011-2021, she served on the Delta Symphony Orchestra Guild. In cooperation with Dr. Dale Miller, ASU Choir Director, she organized three Christmas “Hallelujah” flash mob choirs at Jonesboro Turtle Creek Mall in 2012, 2013, and 2018. She has also served on three mission trips with Little Rock Immanuel Baptist Church from 1990-2001 where she helped with earthquake devastated Turkey. She taught women to sew to help them produce income. She also went on a mission trip to Russia directing a youth choir and visiting schools and orphan homes.

Pat recently moved to Conway to be near her only child, Bret Qualls, daughter-in-law Mary Etta, granddaughter Janna Salter; great granddaughters Maggie Erbach, Emma Fulmer, and grand dog Callie. She has already become involved in the Conway community by becoming a member of the Conway Symphony Orchestra Guild, P.E.O. and participating in the music ministry of First Presbyterian Church. She also serves as harp teacher to two adults.