Patsy Ruth Lea

Patsy Payne Lea, formerly of Wichita Falls and Tyler, Texas, passed away on January 22, 2016.

Patsy was born on January 20, 1925 to Felix Grundy and Frieda Conn Payne in Wichita Falls, Texas. She grew up a true "West Texas Girl," riding her pony, Trixie; lifeguarding at Westmoreland Park pool; and following her Daddy around the oilfields of Texas. She graduated from Wichita Falls High School. Except for one year of study at the Lindenwood College in St. Charles, MO, she lived her whole life in Texas, and would never consider anywhere else to live.

On May 14, 1949, she married Robert Matthews Lea, also of Wichita Falls. She then began the most important stage of her life. She began her calling as so many other women of her generation did – as "just a housewife." But she lived that life like no other.

As just a housewife, she followed her husband, Bob, who worked his way through the oil and gas fields of Texas, as he progressed in his career as a construction manager for Humble/Exxon.

As just a housewife, she gave birth to and raised three sons. She taught them to swim, to ride a bike, to drive a car, to drive a boat, to water ski, to throw a baseball, to bait a hook, to fish, to clean that fish, to whittle, to whistle, to sing silly songs, to fight, to cook, and to be good men.

Along the way, she volunteered for the Red Cross and taught hundreds of children to swim. She volunteered each year for the March of Dimes. Patsy car pooled kids across Texas to swim meets, baseball, football, and basketball games; and fed a multitude on the most comfortable of comfort food. For those requiring justice, she applied it with a whack from her "stinging shoe." And they were better for it.

Patsy loved to play golf and was a member and officer of the Women's Golf Associations at Briarwood and Willowbrook Country Clubs in Tyler, Emerald Bay Club in Bullard, and Pine Forest Country Club in Houston. She became an accomplished golfer and played in a number of Texas State Golf championships. She was also proud of the fact that she had made three holes-in-one.

She was a longtime member of the Marvin United Methodist Church in Tyler, Texas. She cared for her family, her friends, and others she met without question or complaint. She fought off cancer twice, and all other injuries and ailments, saying "I have a high threshold of pain."

After 91 years, she has gone to be with her beloved husband, Bob; her parents, her brother, Felix, Jr., her sister, Mary Jane, her nephew, Tracy, and so many friends it is impossible to name here.

She is survived by son, Pat Lea and wife, Paula, of Waco, TX; son, Jerry Lea and wife, Karen, of Richmond, TX; son, Tom Lea and wife, Doris, of Katy, TX; grandchildren, Amy Lea Wiles and her husband, John of Waterloo, IA, Jay Lea and his wife, Abby of Austin, TX, Whitney Lea of Houston, Matthew Lea of Refugio, TX; and three great grandchildren. She also leaves behind many men and women who loved and admired her, who knew her as "Momma Lea."

The family would like to thank the care staff of Sunrise Cinco Ranch Katy for the care and love they gave Patsy during her eight years there; as well as A-Med Hospice of Katy.

A private, family graveside service will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Wichita Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed to the Texas Children's Hospital, 6621 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030; or to the charity of your choice.