Patsy L. Whipple

Patsy L. Whipple LUBBOCK-Patsy Ruth (Landrum) Whipple passed away on May 21, 2016, in Lubbock, Texas. She was born July 31, 1928, to Velma Mae (Akes) Landrum and Guy Herdman Landrum in Fort Worth, Texas. An alumna of both Amon Carter Riverside High School and Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth, graduating from the latter in 1945, she attended Texas State College for Women and North Texas State College, studying Spanish and journalism. After college she worked for Sinclair Oil Company and the All Church Press in Fort Worth. She married Robert Dale Whipple on Aug. 22, 1953, at First Methodist Church in Fort Worth. After moving in 1964 with her growing family to Lubbock, and raising three boys there, she built a career in Lubbock's University Medical Center. She was a volunteer from the hospital's creation, Employee of the Year in 1988, director of housekeeping, and founding director of the Seniors Are Special program, from which she retired in 2005. She was a YWCA Woman of Excellence in 1999, and was appointed to a lifetime position on the UMC Foundation board in 2011. She also served on the board of Hospice of Lubbock from 2001 to 2007. She was a 30-year member with her family of St. John's United Methodist Church and later a member, with her husband Bob, of the H.I. Robinson class at First United Methodist Church. She was a longtime supporter of the Texas Tech University Women's Club, Altrusa (which she served as President), the Children's Miracle Network, the Monterey and Texas Tech Marching Bands, and many other groups. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Ann Landrum Harris, and her husband. She is survived by her three sons, Robert D. Whipple Jr. of Omaha, Neb.; Stephen A. Whipple of San Clemente, Calif.; and David A. Whipple of Lubbock; granddaughters, Kelsey, Wendy, and Elana; nieces and nephew, and many, many friends. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2016, at Combest Family Funeral Homes. Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2016, at First United Methodist Church Bowman Chapel with interment to follow in Peaceful Gardens Memorial Park. The family suggests memorials to the UMC Foundation in Lubbock or Hospice of Lubbock. Please celebrate the life of Patsy by visiting www.combestfamilyfuneralhomes.com.