The Austin College community celebrates the life and contributions of retiree Jessielea Patrick, who died Sunday, October 23, 2022, in Denison, Texas.
She worked at Austin College for more than 30 years, joining the College staff in September 1968 and remaining until her retirement in March 1999. She saw much change in her work at Austin College as the technology of her roles changed as she moved from switchboard operator to director of telephone services to manager of telecommunication.
Jessielea Patrick
Jessielea always had a smile to share with students, staff, and faculty.
See the family obituary (BELOW).
Jessie Lea “Jessielea” Patrick, 86-year-old lifelong Sherman resident, went to be with her precious Lord and Savior with her loving family by her side Sunday morning, October 23, 2022, at TMC hospital in Denison, Texas
Services will be held at 10 AM, Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at Harvest Time Assembly of God Church in Sherman. Pastor Irby McKnight, Pastor Nathan Cain and Len McLaughlin will officiate, and the burial will follow in the Memorial Park section of West Hill Cemetery. Family night will be held at Waldo Funeral Home Tuesday, October 25th from 6-8 PM.
Jessielea was a faithful servant of her Lord Jesus Christ, was adored by her three children and was fondly known as Nana by her grandchildren. She was born August 21, 1936, the daughter of Robert Lee Wilkerson and Jessie Mae Souther Wilkerson. She married the love of her life, Frank Patrick of Sherman on October 26, 1951, in Durant, Oklahoma. They were happily married for 57 years. Jessielea attended and was an active member of Harvest Time Assembly of God since it was established in 1991.
She began her career as a sole proprietor for ladies wear in Sherman called Lea’s Fashion Shop. When her children entered grade school, she started a job with Sherman Community Hospital and then ended her career at Austin College after 30 years. She claimed Austin College as her second family and still remained meeting with her friends from there up until her passing. She enjoyed advising students on campus and was a great support to them. Jessielea loved to study the Holy Bible and led several bible study groups and taught Sunday school for all ages. She enjoyed being a member of the International BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). She was passionate about a group she organized, the “Praying Grannies” a prayer group that offered prayer support to local churches and our community. She was also a member of a faith-based organization AFA (American Family Associate).
She enjoyed serving as the president of PTA at Crutchfield Elementary School for many years where she formed their first Family Fun Night Fall Festival that continued on for years. Jessielea loved to played games even as a young mother and continued to play Bunco with her friends over the years. She was a Bluebird and Camp Fire Leader with her daughters, a den mother for cub scouts with her son and thoroughly enjoyed their camping trips. Another passion of hers was freelance writing some of which was personalized poems for her family. She and Frank enjoyed traveling to Branson several times a year and after her retirement they especially loved the trips with Mike and Becky Sellers Fantasy Tours. Some of her favorite places were Alaska, Hawaii and seeing the fall foliage. She recently took residence at The Renaissance in Sherman and truly enjoyed spending time with her newfound friends there.
Jessielea reminded us of a hummingbird, she spread kindness and brought joy to everyone she encountered. Her spiritual gift of encouragement was a blessing to everyone and will be dearly missed.
She was survived by her loving brother Steve Wilkerson and wife Ramona of Denison, son, Larry Patrick and wife Laurie of Norman, Oklahoma, daughters Cheryl Inman and husband Tim of Sherman and Penney Howeth of Dallas; grandchildren, D’Ahn McDonald and fiancé Marcus Fowler of Longview, Texas, Bryan Inman and wife Jenni of Sherman, Daniel Inman of Arlington, Texas, Julie Carlson of Norman, Oklahoma, Brandon Patrick and wife Amy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Jon Mark Howeth, Jeff Howeth and wife Morgan of Ft. Worth, Texas and Jacob Howeth of Dallas, Texas; great grandchildren, Margeaux and Blaique McDonald, Bryan Inman Jr, Benjamin, Kate Carlson, and Jack Howeth.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her loving husband.
Pallbearers are her grandsons Bryan Inman, Daniel Inman, Brandon Patrick, Jon Mark Howeth, Jeff Howeth and Jacob Howeth.