Sheila Patterson

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Shelia Patterson (Jones) was born to parents David and Bennie Lee Jones. She was preceded in death by both of her parents and her older brother David. She is survived by her two sons Wesley Christopher and Langston Colby (Jessica) Patterson, her two sisters Jean (Bonnie) Williams and Deborah (Kevins) Norton, brothers Donald Jones, David Maurice (Ashanti) Jones, and step brother C. Randolph (Margaret) Keller, sister-in-law Debra Boose and granddaughters Colbie Renee and step granddaughter Preslie Marie. At an early age, Sheila professed her faith and accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. She most recently served as an active member of the First Congregational Church in Houston, Texas.

Sheila graduated from CVS High School in Chicago, Illinois, and later received a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Following graduation, she spent four years as the clarinet soloist with the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command Band. Some of the many highlights of her military career were playing for both domestic and foreign dignitaries in Washington D.C. and traveling abroad to play in London, England. While in the Air Force, Sheila met and married Don Patterson, the father of her sons. Sheila was last stationed in San Antonio, Texas and upon separation from the USAF, she moved to Houston to attend graduate school.

Following her military career, Sheila received her Master of Musical Arts Degree in clarinet performance from Rice University. After graduate school, Sheila pursued a career in music education. Her first assignment as a music educator was at Burris Elementary. Later, Sheila shared her love for music and teaching with the students of Willowridge High School, Dulles High School, and Rice Lab School in Houston, Texas. Additionally, she balanced raising her two sons, maintaining a career in education, and pursuing a doctorate in music from Boston University. Some of Sheila’s many distinguished teaching positions included Assistant Director of Bands at Texas Southern University and Instructor of Clarinet at Prairie View A&M University. Sheila retired from a career in music education at Lone Star College Cy-Fair.

Music was not only her gift, but it was also her passion-- especially when she performed with the Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra (ECHO), the Houston Symphonic Band, and the Cypress Winds Clarinet Quartet. Sheila was one of the founding members of the Cypress Winds Quartet, with whom she performed continually for the Houston community and toured all over the United States. As member of the Cypress Winds Clarinet Quartet, Sheila introduced young people to the beautiful world of music by hosting summer camps and workshops.

Sheila devoted much of her time to care for her son Wesley after he suffered a debilitating accident. She loved her family and inspired several of her nieces and nephews to develop a love of music. Sheila was a proud and devoted grandmother whose greatest joy in life was caring for her youngest grandchild, Colbie Renee whom she adored. Sheila leaves to mourn; her nieces Sharifa (Gregory) Bevels, Veronica (Troy) Thomas, Simone (Ronald) Bond her nephews Jackson, Brandon, Justin, and Zachary, and a host of great-nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by extended family and longtime friends. Her presence will be missed amongst her faithful Quartet members Mae Gremillion, Kathie McStravick, and Nancy Angerstein. Sheila Patterson was a treasure to her community and a blessing to all who had the pleasure of receiving her loving compassion and kindness. Her song will forever play on in our hearts.