Patsy Jo Bynum

Patsy Jo Bynum

STERLING CITY

Patsy Jo Bynum, aged 81, died peacefully on July 4, 2016, at her home in Sterling City, Texas.

Patsy was born March 4, 1935, in Sterling City, the daughter of Ralph and Bertha Davis.

Patsy was raised on a ranch and loved and embraced that heritage all her life. She told stories of the cowboys at the U Ranch, where her father was ranch foreman when she was young. It was there she learned the love of camp coffee at a very early age! She also learned a love and respect for the land and a love for horses that led her to the rodeo arena, where she competed as a young girl. One fateful day while driving home with her father, they had a flat tire. While changing that tire on the side of the road, a man and his son stopped to offer assistance. That is when she met the love of her life Billy Ralph Bynum. They were married on June 12, 1952. They began ranching and raising a family together first in Blackwell, Texas and then later in Sterling City, Texas. They had three children: Bobby, Tommy and Patti. Together they instilled in their children the values of hard work and stewardship of the land and lifestyle they so loved and embodied.

Patsy was known for being a good cook and always keeping a warm welcome ready for all! The smell of homemade bread and delicious pies and other goodies was ever present in the home. Her talents didn't stop there! When she was young, her father traded a horse and brought home a piano! She sat down and started picking out tunes and chords and was soon able to play almost any song she heard by ear. Just when you thought it couldn't get better, she was blessed with grandchildren! That is when her name became "Mama Pat" to one and all! She attended every rodeo, 4-H event, sporting event, one-act play, singing and drama event that any one of the grandchildren were in! She loved them all, and she loved them well. She showed them strength beyond measure when she lost her life love in 1992. She taught them how to carry on by picking up the yoke and taking on where Billy left off, both on the ranch and serving as a County Commissioner for Sterling County. She had a servant's heart that helped her family, her community and her church. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Eastern Star and Noratadata Club in Sterling City. She leaves a lasting legacy and she will be dearly missed. Fly high, Mama Pat. We love you big as the sky!

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Billy; and her son, Bobby.

She is survived by Bobby's wife, Debby and their children, Shanna and Casey; her son, Tommy and wife Vicki and his children, Terra and Joseph Gernentz and Bradley and Cori Bynum, Vicki's children, Aaron Canady and Evan Canady; her daughter, Patti May and husband Brian and their children, Morgan and Lenny Christo and Mackenzie and Brian Holik; and great-grandchildren Hunter Christo, Caroline Christo, Julianne Holik and Blaire Holik and a precious pink bundle-to-be in October, Hadley Bynum; her brother, Bill Davis and wife Carolyn; and her sister, Mitzi Harper and husband Dayton. She is also survived by numerous and greatly loved nieces and nephews.

Family burial will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 7, in Foster Cemetery, followed by a memorial celebration of life service at 1:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Sterling City, Texas.

Memorials can be made to a favorite charity.