Patricia Jo Wittman Rodgers

Pat was born in Galveston and grew up in Houston. She graduated from Lamar High School and attended Austin College in Sherman. After college she moved to Austin where she married and raised her 3 daughters, for many years as a single mother. She was the heart of her own home and also much loved by the families she nannied for throughout her adult life. In 2008 she moved to Huntsville, Texas to be near grandchildren. Her favorite name for herself was given by her seven grandchildren who called her Nana.

Pat was proud of her Texas roots and embraced her family heritage, telling stories of her grandparents and childhood up until her final days. At her request her granddaughter Lauren recently interviewed her about her life. She left several intelligent and delightful videos her family will always cherish. In those videos she told stories proudly explaining the resourcefulness and humanitarianism of the American people in the post World War II America she lived in as a young girl and which made a lifetime impression on her. But the things from her life she was most proud of were her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren! Her lasting legacy is her strong daughters and their families, her solid faith in God and her belief in Jesus as her Savior, and the appreciation she passed on to her family for nature, music, fun and the value of having an inquisitive mind. Some of her most beautiful qualities we will treasure in our memory were her radiant smile, her story-telling finesse, her creativity, her lovely handwriting, and her faithful prayer for us all.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Adrienne Peel; parents Paul B and Ima Wittman; grandparents Olin and Mary Lou Culberson & William J and Willmetta Wittman; and nephew Sam Stubblefield.

She is survived by her daughters Genevieve Keefe (John) and Lucinda DuTeau (Jeff). She also leaves behind her grandchildren Jenna Springer (Jacob), Lauren Peel (Kyle Gaskey), Sarah Geis (Cirilo Reyes), Rebekah Keefe, Hannah Jo Culp (Josh), David Keefe (Lori), and Stephen Keefe; two precious great grandchildren Levi and Abigail Springer; her sister Marolyn Stubblefield and niece Katie Hughen (Phil); her cousin Mary Lou (Paul) Nesseth as well as many dear friends.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to VITAS Inpatient Hospice and the amazing nurses who cared for our Mom/Nana and ensured her comfort during her final days.

In honor of our Mom/Nana do something kind for another person, learn a new word, go for a walk and appreciate nature, and most importantly hug your family!