Patricia Ann Walker Childress

January 22, 1936 - December 10, 2015

Patricia Ann Walker Childress flew away on Thursday, December 10th, surrounded by loving family and a host of friends. She was born in Houston, TX on January 22, 1936 to Margaret Ann and Cooper Drexel Nail.

Patricia and her brother, Richard Wallace Walker, grew up in Houston, New Orleans and San Francisco. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston in 1953 and married William H. Cowgill that same year. The newlyweds moved to Ft. Bragg, NC where their first daughter Kathi was born. After Bill's service in the Army ended, they had two more daughters, Patti and Billi Jean. After she and Bill divorced, she married George Childress in 1971.

Patricia loved to dance, read, cook, travel, and garden. There was hardly any place she loved more than the beach at Galveston, where she spent many happy moments throughout her long life. Education was important to her, so once her kids were raised and she became a grandmother, she attended Texas A&M University, earning a Bachelors Degree in History at the age of 52. From then, she spent the rest of her life teaching school, retiring at 78 years old. She taught at St. Michael's Academy, and in both Bryan and College Station ISD's.

She was also an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brazos Valley, where she served as the Director of Religious Education and taught Sunday School for many years.

Patricia had a great sense of humor and an optimistic outlook on life. Her motto was "Be of Good Cheer!" Despite overcoming hard times throughout her life, she always had a smile on her face. She loved her friends, and had a special kinship with Winnie Garner, her BFF.

Above all, she adored her six grandchildren, including her granddaughter-in-law. She was Grammie! She loved them with her whole heart.

She is predeceased by her mother Margaret Ann Crawford, her father Cooper Drexel Nail, her brother Richard Wallace Walker, her husbands William H. Cowgill and George Childress. Survivors include her daughters Kathi Appelt and husband Ken, Patti Miller and husband Spencer, Billi Jean Murphree; and her grandchildren Jacob Appelt, Cooper Appelt and wife Laurel Kathleen; William Miller, Max Miller; Maggie Yewens and Riley Yewens and their father Harry Yewens. She also leaves behind her beloved pup, Sophie.

The family would like to thank the wonderful crew at Encompass Hospice, the caring staff at the Oncology Center at St. Joseph's Hospital and at the Cancer Clinic, as well as Jennifer George. She felt buoyed by their care and affection.

A celebration of Patricia's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, 2016, the day after what would have been her 80th birthday, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brazos Valley. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the church, 305 Wellborn Rd., College Station TX 77840, or a charity of your choice.

Expression of Condolence can be made at callawayjones.com