Patricia Jane Willbern

It is with great sadness that the immediate and extended family of PATRICIA (PAT) WILLBERN announce the passing of one of the greatest mothers, friend, mentor and coworker who was and still is loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing her even if you had met her for a brief moment. The middle of three children, Patricia (Pat) was born in Houston, Texas August 29, 1930 to Cornelius Augustus Pickett (former Houston mayor) and Margaret Olympia Yarborough Pickett (sister to former U.S. Senator Ralph Yarborough). Pat grew up on 217 Avondale in Houston. Pat met her future husband Thomas A.(Bubba) Willbern Jr. who lived across the street at 218 Avondale. Pat, attended Lanier Jr. High and graduated from Lamar High School in 1948. Pat went to and graduated from Stephens college in Missouri. Pat and Bubba moved to Cypress Fairbanks and lived in teacher housing on Telge Road then moved to Jersey Village in 1956 where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Both worked for Cypress Fairbanks School District. Pat was the first President of Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union in 1973. CFFCU grew from 900 to 10,000 members and on her last day the Credit Union had assets in excess of 44.5 million dollars. Even after retirement, Pat remained an active Board Member for the Credit Union until she was stricken with Alzheimer’s and was forced into retirement. Her pre & post retirement years were spent traveling with Bubba, spending many weeks at her River house on the San Bernard River, gardening, crabbing and fishing. Pat and one of her dearest friends Debbie Blackshear, were awarded Cy-Fair FCU’s “President’s Legacy Award” for their many contributions and success. The Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union became her passion and is one of her more enduring legacies to the School District she loved.  PATRICIA JANE PICKETT WILLBERN is survived by; sons, Thomas A. III, Michael Alan, and daughter, Patricia Ann Willbern Echevarria, daughters-in-law, Vironica Wrobyn Willbern, Allison LeCompte, son-in-law Mike Echevarria; grandchildren, Michael Echevarria; Kristen Echevarria, Arienne Willbern, Austin Willbern & Christian Willbern; her elder sister Margaret A. Pickett Smith; Nephews and nieces, David Smith, Meg Smith, Alan Pickett, Pegi Pickett, Jason Pickett, Ryan Pickett and Kyle Pickett and their respective spouses and children as well as countless friends. She is preceded in death by her life-long loving Husband, Thomas Austin Willbern Jr.(Bubba), her mother and father and her brother Neal Y. Pickett. Visitation 5-8PM, Sunday, February 25, 2018 at Klein Funeral Home, 9719 Wortham Blvd., Houston, TX 77065. A funeral service will be held 10AM, Monday, February 26, 2018 at The Foundry, 8350 Jones Rd., Houston, TX 77065 with interment to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send a contribution in Pat’s memory to the Silverado North Houston Hospice 13810 Champion Forest, Suite #150 Houston, TX 77069.