Patty Thompson

Patty Petit Thompson
1938-2022
Patty Petit Thompson was born in Beaumont, Texas on May 3, 1938. She died peacefully into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on March 29,2022. Patty grew up with a twin brother, a sister and younger brother in Beaumont. She met her present husband Allen in preschool in 1942. Patty, her twin and Allen were friends from them on. Allen and Patty's parents were charter members of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. After graduating from Beaumont High, Patty, Paul and Allen went their separate ways, attending college, marrying and building their careers. Patty was off to Mary Baldwin (which she would graduate in 3 years), her twin to SMU and Allen to Rice. It took 47 years for Patty and Allen to meet up again, but once they did, they enjoyed just short of 13 years of marriage before her passing.
Patty enrolled in a child development class at Mary Baldwin College. It was her first exposure to young children's education. She began her career teaching second grade for two years in Louisville, Kentucky. Continuing what was fast becoming her love, she stepped up to discover another passion, disadvantaged children. This time, thanks to a Junior League assignment, she taught cerebral palsied children in Beaumont. She was hooked and dove into her life's work. Years later in 1997, a Junior League article defined her philosophy, "Find what makes your heart sing!" Mom's heart sung for all of you, your children, talented or disadvantaged to find their best place in this world. Her mission was always us and our children.
After moving to Houston, the Junior League placed her in a year long project to develop a child care center for 35 children living in poverty. When time ran out on the project, Patty stepped up and raised the funds to keep the desperately needed project alive through the summer.
This project experience gave Patty the confidence to accept a Principal (Director of School) position at River Oaks Baptist School. Her fundraising experience helped her to raise over two and a half million dollars in grants and special gifts, build new school facilities and get accreditation for the school to grow from 2nd to 8th grade at ROBS. During her tenure at ROBS over the next 16 years, the school grew from 65 students to over 750 and remains a relevant school in the Houston community today. While mom could have been very proud of herself for the school's growth over her years, she never partook in it. Three of the things she was most proud of were establishing programs to meet challenged children's needs, establishing grief counseling in time of need and the relationships she formed with the teachers, staff, children and families. It was all about others and she would BEAM when her students, faculty and former students did well.
After ROBS, mom helped resurrect and grow Post Oak Montessori School, received an M.A. degree in educational administration at HBU, consulted on the development of First Methodist Church's Wesley Academy, consulted on the development of programs at First Presbyterian Church, developed an after school program at Ridgecrest Elementary and raised over $6 million of grants for Even Start Literacy and Continued Funds for Service Learning. After a one year stint at a Charter School in Tyler, Patty went back to Beaumont to serve as development director at Legacy Christian Academy. While she was able to accomplish much, we believe that her greatest accomplishment was serving you and us.
Her family is most thankful for her time with Allen and their love and care for each other. Not only has Allen been an awesome companion, he has been a compassionate and loving caregiver over the last year. Patty is pre-deceased by her parents Dr. Paul and Sue Petit. She is survived by her husband Allen Streater, her siblings Paul Petit (Sara), Judy Monaghan (Charlie), Mike Petit (Elizabeth) and her children, George (AnnMarie), John (Karen) and Teal Thompson; Allen's children, Roger (Kristen) Streater, Laura
(Richard) Riehm, John (Gail) Streater and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews and one great grandchild.
The family wishes to thank Lupe Ibarra and Elena Fetui for their sweet and loving care of Patty and Allen, as well as Patty's Fort Worth PEO and Bible Study groups who all meant so much to her. Patty desired to be cremated and have her ashes placed in the courtyard at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Beaumont, Texas.
A memorial service celebrating Patty's life will be held at 11:30 AM on April 19th, 2022 in the chapel at Houston's First Baptist Church, 7401 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024, where Pastor Gregg Matte will officiate. The service will be streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/449493816484915. A reception will immediately follow at the church.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in her honor be made to River Oaks Baptist School, 2300 Willowick, Houston, Texas 77027 or online at www.robs.org.