Obituary for Pat Colville
Pat Colville, known to her Alabama relatives as Charlcie May, was born in Decatur, Alabama, to L.W. Pat Patterson and Edith Layman Patterson on November 21, 1923. She died December 10, 2019, in the company of her family.
Pat grew up in Decatur and later her family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. When World War II began, Pat had a position in the Finance Office of the Army Air Corps, MacDill Air Field, Tampa, where a certain Lieutenant Jack Colville of Elmer, Oklahoma, was a Squadron Armament Officer with the B-26 aircraft completing his final training before leaving for England.
One day Lt. Colville happened to see Miss Patterson entering the Hotel Tampa Bay for an office banquet. He jumped out of his car and asked her to dinner. Pat replied she would go only if her boss would give his blessing. Jack received permission from the commanding officer for the date and thus began a whirlwind romance. They married six weeks later, a lifelong marriage that lasted sixty-eight years.
After the war, Pat and Jack made their home in Altus. She grew to love the city and southwest Oklahoma and formed a bond with it that remained unbroken.
She and Jack were involved with their children Dwight's and Jacquelyn's school activities. The child-rearing years were a whirlwind of activity for Pat. They were class parents for both children and enjoyed planning events for the classes and being a part of the proms, spaghetti dinners, football games, class projects, and band trips.
Pat and Jack shared a passion for all things Oklahoma State University. They traveled to many football and basketball games and OSU golf tournaments over the years. While in her 80's and 90's, she attended four years of OSU Football 101!
Another passion was reading. Pat said that one of her greatest joys in life was going to the library. She was a prodigious reader who was sincerely interested in all topics. She possessed a nimble mind and refined vocabulary that could seamlessly appreciate the grace of a John Kennedy and the pragmatic goodness of a Ronald Reagan.
She was a political junkie and campaigned vigorously for Fred Harris and Herschal Crow and was active in other campaigns through the years.
She joined what is now United Methodist Women in the late 1940's and has been a member for decades. It was her dream for every woman in the church to belong to UMW. In the early seventies Pat became chairman of the UMW's project committee and the Country Kitchen Christmas Bazaar and continued until her death to be Chairman and Chairman Emeritus. Thanks to the many volunteers and the support of the community, the Country Kitchen project has contributed to many service missions for five decades.
Through her work with civic organizations, church activities and personal connections, Pat planted seeds of goodness throughout the Great Plains. Her career of service has provided a legacy of giving, and the enduring gifts of faith and hope benefited so many whose lives have been touched in some way by her actions.
As a member of Aldonian Study Club, she served as the Project Chairman or Co- Chairman for many projects. They include the building of the Aldonian Gazebo in Hightower Park; the grand opening of the Museum of the Western Prairie; the "Safari of the Mind" initiative to establish the Southern Prairie Library System in southwestern Oklahoma; and along with others the campaign to ensure continued funding for the library system; the creation of the ongoing Museum of the Western Prairie puppet show for children; and many other projects throughout the years.
Pat's career of service provided an inspiration to many.
Pat said in a speech she gave when receiving an Oklahoma Heritage Association Regional Award:
"In the space of just six weeks, I had my nineteenth birthday, met and married Lt. Jack Colville in Tampa, and came to Oklahoma for the first time on a bleak January day. But 76 years later, I know that I came to the most wonderful place in the world: Altus, Jackson County, Oklahoma. I know this community will continue to embrace newcomers, as it did me, to cherish its old-timers of which I am one, and to step into the future with vision and spirit."
Pat was a person ruled by a delicate balance between a soft heart and vigorous mind. Her motto was Never Give Up. She quietly filled the room with her gentle attention, gleeful laugh, and bemused smile. She empathized with the suffering of the world and spread her delighted laugh to all she met.
At the end of a conversation with Pat you knew you had been listened to for she heard with her eyes and mind as much as her ears. Those who were under the grace of her attention never heard Pat speak despairingly of anyone.
Pat shall be missed by all who were the recipients of her love, grace and goodness throughout her life.
Preceding her in death were her parents and her brother Lawrence W. Bill Patterson.
Pat is survived by her son Dwight and his wife Kathie of Canyon, Texas, daughter Jacquelyn Parrish and husband Jim of Altus, nephew Bill Patterson of Atlanta, granddaughter Maggie Colville Edwards and husband Colby of Lubbock, Texas, grandson Murry Parrish and wife Bobbie of Edmond, grandson Scott Coburn Parrish of Phoenix, and granddaughter Holly Payne of Mesa, Arizona, great grandchildren Justin, Clayton, and Gracie Payne, Will and Lucy Parrish, Jackson and Madison Parrish.
The family of Pat Colville will greet friends at visitation on Sunday evening, December 15, 2019 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home in Altus.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 pm on Monday, December 16, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church of Altus with Reverend Jane Vaughan officiating.
Interment will follow funeral services at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
To sign the online guest book and share memories with the family please visit www.Lowell-Tims.com
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Pat grew up in Decatur and later her family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. When World War II began, Pat had a position in the Finance Office of the Army Air Corps, MacDill Air Field, Tampa, where a certain Lieutenant Jack Colville of Elmer, Oklahoma, was a Squadron Armament Officer with the B-26 aircraft completing his final training before leaving for England.
One day Lt. Colville happened to see Miss Patterson entering the Hotel Tampa Bay for an office banquet. He jumped out of his car and asked her to dinner. Pat replied she would go only if her boss would give his blessing. Jack received permission from the commanding officer for the date and thus began a whirlwind romance. They married six weeks later, a lifelong marriage that lasted sixty-eight years.
After the war, Pat and Jack made their home in Altus. She grew to love the city and southwest Oklahoma and formed a bond with it that remained unbroken.
She and Jack were involved with their children Dwight's and Jacquelyn's school activities. The child-rearing years were a whirlwind of activity for Pat. They were class parents for both children and enjoyed planning events for the classes and being a part of the proms, spaghetti dinners, football games, class projects, and band trips.
Pat and Jack shared a passion for all things Oklahoma State University. They traveled to many football and basketball games and OSU golf tournaments over the years. While in her 80's and 90's, she attended four years of OSU Football 101!
Another passion was reading. Pat said that one of her greatest joys in life was going to the library. She was a prodigious reader who was sincerely interested in all topics. She possessed a nimble mind and refined vocabulary that could seamlessly appreciate the grace of a John Kennedy and the pragmatic goodness of a Ronald Reagan.
She was a political junkie and campaigned vigorously for Fred Harris and Herschal Crow and was active in other campaigns through the years.
She joined what is now United Methodist Women in the late 1940's and has been a member for decades. It was her dream for every woman in the church to belong to UMW. In the early seventies Pat became chairman of the UMW's project committee and the Country Kitchen Christmas Bazaar and continued until her death to be Chairman and Chairman Emeritus. Thanks to the many volunteers and the support of the community, the Country Kitchen project has contributed to many service missions for five decades.
Through her work with civic organizations, church activities and personal connections, Pat planted seeds of goodness throughout the Great Plains. Her career of service has provided a legacy of giving, and the enduring gifts of faith and hope benefited so many whose lives have been touched in some way by her actions.
As a member of Aldonian Study Club, she served as the Project Chairman or Co- Chairman for many projects. They include the building of the Aldonian Gazebo in Hightower Park; the grand opening of the Museum of the Western Prairie; the "Safari of the Mind" initiative to establish the Southern Prairie Library System in southwestern Oklahoma; and along with others the campaign to ensure continued funding for the library system; the creation of the ongoing Museum of the Western Prairie puppet show for children; and many other projects throughout the years.
Pat's career of service provided an inspiration to many.
Pat said in a speech she gave when receiving an Oklahoma Heritage Association Regional Award:
"In the space of just six weeks, I had my nineteenth birthday, met and married Lt. Jack Colville in Tampa, and came to Oklahoma for the first time on a bleak January day. But 76 years later, I know that I came to the most wonderful place in the world: Altus, Jackson County, Oklahoma. I know this community will continue to embrace newcomers, as it did me, to cherish its old-timers of which I am one, and to step into the future with vision and spirit."
Pat was a person ruled by a delicate balance between a soft heart and vigorous mind. Her motto was Never Give Up. She quietly filled the room with her gentle attention, gleeful laugh, and bemused smile. She empathized with the suffering of the world and spread her delighted laugh to all she met.
At the end of a conversation with Pat you knew you had been listened to for she heard with her eyes and mind as much as her ears. Those who were under the grace of her attention never heard Pat speak despairingly of anyone.
Pat shall be missed by all who were the recipients of her love, grace and goodness throughout her life.
Preceding her in death were her parents and her brother Lawrence W. Bill Patterson.
Pat is survived by her son Dwight and his wife Kathie of Canyon, Texas, daughter Jacquelyn Parrish and husband Jim of Altus, nephew Bill Patterson of Atlanta, granddaughter Maggie Colville Edwards and husband Colby of Lubbock, Texas, grandson Murry Parrish and wife Bobbie of Edmond, grandson Scott Coburn Parrish of Phoenix, and granddaughter Holly Payne of Mesa, Arizona, great grandchildren Justin, Clayton, and Gracie Payne, Will and Lucy Parrish, Jackson and Madison Parrish.
The family of Pat Colville will greet friends at visitation on Sunday evening, December 15, 2019 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home in Altus.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 pm on Monday, December 16, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church of Altus with Reverend Jane Vaughan officiating.
Interment will follow funeral services at the Altus City Cemetery under the direction of Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory, Altus, Oklahoma.
To sign the online guest book and share memories with the family please visit www.Lowell-Tims.com
To send flowers in memory of Pat Colville, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Sunday
15
Dec
4:00 PM
- 6:00 PM
Lowell-Tims Funeral Home
1100 East Tamarack Road
Altus, OK 73521
Funeral
Monday
16
Dec
1:30 PM
The First United Methodist Church of Altus
317 North Main Street
Altus, OK 73521
Interment
Monday
16
Dec
Altus City Cemetery
2400 Falcon Road
Altus, OK 73521
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