Patsy Elaine Raney

Patsy was born on July 15, 1943 to Bill and Ava Dunham. She grew up on the Dunham’s farm in Wamba, TX. She graduated from Texas High in 1961 and attended TCU before ultimately graduating from East Texas State University in Commerce with her husband, Charles Richard Raney. Patsy received her Masters in Education at ETSU-Texarkana while teaching for Texarkana Independent School District. After retiring from teaching, she spent her time outfishing her husband and cheering on her children and grandchildren.

Charles spotted Patsy’s Westlawn homecoming picture in the Texas Avenue Junior High trophy case and hoped he would meet her when the two schools joined at Texas High School. Lo and behold, she was sitting right in front of him when he got to Coach Stingley’s biology class at THS. Even though Charles declared “never again because she talks too much!” after their first date, the couple dated off and on for 5 years. Charles burned up the highway to see her at TCU and they were engaged to be married on June 15, 1963. For the 61 years that followed he was blessed with the sweetest and kindest person you could imagine.

Whether it was volunteering for the PTA or Junior League or helping students get through life challenges, Patsy had an unmistakable love for serving others. To know her was to know a truly genuine, selfless person who never let fear stand in the way of what needed to be done. Her strength is forever symbolized in her marriage, the never-quit attitude of her children, and the countless individuals who called on “Ms. Patsy” for help or advice.

She is survived by husband Charles Raney, her sister and brother-in-law Billie and Dick Polen of Wylie, TX, her son and daughter-in-law Christopher and Cathy Raney of Dallas, TX, son Chad Raney (abroad), daughter and son-in-law Amanda and Jason Horton of Texarkana, TX and her grandchildren Carson and Cooper Raney and Charlie Jack and Avalene Horton.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at East Funeral Home-Moores Lane.

Patsy’s life will be celebrated on Thursday August 8, 2024 at 3:00 pm at East Funeral Home-Moores Lane Chapel with Rev. Bryan Bixler officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Online tributes can be sent to www.eastfuneralhomes.com