Patricia Ann Howard was born on June 26, 1944 to Cline and Frances Howard, Jr. in Waxahachie, TX. Patricia was an only child but she had numerous cousins nearby so family gatherings were full. She graduated from Waxahachie High School in 1962 where she participated in the drill team and briefly played the clarinet (she often said it wasn't her favorite). One night after graduation she attended a summer party by Lake Dallas. There she had her first conversation with Rellis (Rusty) Earl Worley, Jr., who would soon become her husband and partner for over 57 years. Even though they each were attending the party with another date, they were so attracted to each other that they shared their first kiss. It was love at first sight for them both and the love only deepened as their journey together continued. Soon Patricia was busy with three young children as they made a home in the Farmers Branch area. Rusty and Patsy worked very hard to provide a loving house for Terri Leigh, Tammi Ann and Jeffrey Scott (and a couple of cats named Buffy and Smatch). Patsy was so caring that even with her hands full she welcomed two foster children for the Christmas holidays one year. If she had any free time she would paint and do crafts. Eventually she went to work becoming the top inside sales associate for a company selling electronics. Rusty's work took the family to Hong Kong for two years. It was a big transition but Patsy made the move as smooth as possible for all and she was soon visiting Chinese markets, the Forbidden City and cooking wonderful oriental food. The family moved to Allen, Texas where the children finished high school. As Rusty was nearing retirement, they traveled to Europe, took a Caribbean cruise and visited family in Colorado, Minnesota, Las Vegas, California, Florida and Tennessee. Rusty and Patsy built a home in the country north of McKinney on about 5 acres, they started a small business from home and for the next few years after work they enjoyed sitting on their back patio in the evenings with adult beverages, watching the sunsets. They bought a camper and drove to watch grandchildren race dirt bikes where they met many new friends and ate lots of good barbecue. Painfully, Rusty and Patsy suffered the sudden loss of their beloved son Jeff. Eventually they moved to a smaller new house in Denton to be closer to their daughters' families and have less grass to mow. Patsy, or Grammy as she was now called, has had a wonderful time playing games with all of the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a talented cook and loved to try new restaurants. She liked strawberries in her cereal, liked the coffee Rusty brewed for her every morning and liked to watch British shows on TV. She had a dog named Sprocket, a cat named Buddy and a previously feral cat named Spooky that she charmed. She had a gentle humor and loved the companionship of her in-laws and their families. She passed on October 21, 2022, surrounded by her loving family who will always cherish and treasure her memory.
Patricia is preceded in death by her son Jeffrey Scott Worley.
She is survived by her dearest husband, Rellis Earl Worley, Jr.; her daughter Terri Spurgeon and husband Michael and her daughter Tammi Needham and husband David. She has numerous grandchildren. Danielle Finley and husband Andrew with Luke, Joanna and Natalie; Victoria Haddock and husband Cody with Hayden and Hannah; Dylan Needham; Alexandra Spurgeon and fiancé Tayla Jones; Ashley Needham; Austin Worley and wife Kimberly; Jake Spurgeon and Wyatt Worley. Patricia was gifted with bonus family that she would want to be included. Alicia Braswell, Dawn Phipps, Tiffany Wetenhall, Jennifer Hagood, Jamie Crawford, Monika Walsh, Jessica Södergren, Sofia Cervin and Lena Reiht.
A visitation for Patricia will be held Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at JE Foust Funeral Home. A celebration of life will occur Friday, October 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM at JE Foust Funeral Home.
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