Janie Patterson

Janie was born in Houston, Texas on April 16, 1925 to Carl and Winifred Russ. She graduated from Lamar High School and moved to Austin in 1942 to attend the University of Texas, graduating with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in 1946. She was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and was a journalist for the Daily Texan newspaper.

She made Austin her permanent home where she raised her three children. She was an active member of Highland Park Baptist Church for 53 years and was a Sunday school teacher until her passing.

For over 20 years she was editorial assistant for Texas Realtor Magazine.

Janie was involved in many activities and had a very active social life. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and was responsible for their newsletter for many years. She was involved with senior education through U.T. SAGE and Life Time Learning, where she was administrative coordinator until her passing.

Janie was a loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt who showed her love and support by her active participation in her family's lives. She loved to cook and will always be remembered for the delicious cookies she made for everyone.

Preceding her in passing are her father, Carl F. Russ; brother, Carl F. Russ, Jr.; mother, Winifred Russ; and grandson, Gabriel Patterson. Janie is survived by her son, Michael Patterson and wife, Jean of Austin, Texas; son, Thomas Patterson and wife, Elena of Rio Grande City, Texas; daughter, Nancy Patterson Marsden and husband, Mike of South Padre Island, Texas; sister, Ellen Russ Parkerson and husband, Edwin; grandchildren, Seth, Heather, and Michael Patterson; step-grandchildren, Shane Casey, Megan and Mari Beth Matott; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, March 25th at 2:00 pm at the Austin Memorial Park Cemetery on Hancock Drive followed by a memorial service to celebrate her life. The memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Highland Park Baptist Church, 5206 Balcones Dr., Austin, TX 78731, followed by a reception hosted by the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Highland Park Baptist Church, 5206 Balcones Drive, Austin, TX 78731 or to Friends of Bright Leaf, PO Box 27291, Austin, TX 78755-7921.