Patty Jan Campbell passed away peacefully yesterday at home in Rusk, Texas, surrounded by her loving family.

Patty was born Patty Jan Davidson on February 17, 1937, in Amarillo, Texas, to Johnnie Gay Davidson and Mary Elizabeth (Bailey) Davidson. Orphaned at an early age—her mother died in childbirth and her father when she was just one—she was lovingly raised in Chico, Texas, by her grandfather, George Washington Davidson; her aunt, Annie Lee Brooks; and Annie’s husband, Homer Brooks. She grew up alongside Annie’s five children, whom she considered her brothers and sisters.

After graduating from Chico High School, Patty attended Dallas Baptist University. On August 31, 1957, she married the love of her life, Duane Edwin Campbell, in Bridgeport, Texas. They later settled in Fritch, Texas, where they made their home for the next 60 years while raising their four children: Ruby Jean “Jeannie” Graves, Stanley Neal Campbell, Timothy Alan Campbell, and Gale Edwin Campbell.

When her children reached school age, Patty returned to college, completed her degree, and became an elementary school teacher. She taught in Fritch and surrounding communities for more than 20 years.

Patty’s life was enriched by her love of the arts—she painted and drew regularly and played the piano and organ nearly every day. A deeply Christian woman, she was active in her church, First Southern Baptist Church of Fritch. In retirement, she especially enjoyed playing cards with friends and helping anyone in need. Above all, her greatest joy was her family: her four children, eight grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.

Patty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 64 years, Duane Edwin Campbell; her siblings, Darwin Brooks and Methel Price; her daughter, Ruby Jean “Jeannie” Graves; and her granddaughter, Leah Graves.

She is survived by her brothers, Everett and David Brooks; her sister, Lavenia Berryman; her sons, Stanley Neal (Holly) Campbell of Rusk, Texas, Timothy Alan (Heather) Campbell of Rolling Hills Estates, California, and Gale Edwin (Mary Anne Smith) Campbell of Dallas, Texas; her grandchildren, Monique Graves of Decatur, Texas, Stanley Neal (Alicia) Campbell II of Whitehouse, Texas, Laura Leigh (Ben) Fenton of Waxahachie, Texas, Kathryn Sue (Omar) Velasco of Whitehouse, Texas, John Thomas Campbell of Orange, Connecticut, Gabrielle Elizabeth Campbell of Rolling Hills Estates, California, and Christopher Hayden Campbell of Rolling Hills Estates, California; and her great-grandchildren, Ruby Jean Sponsellor, Tuesday Tanner, Seraphin, Nathan, and Aanyiah Hamilton, Locke and Avidan Fenton, Dresden, Elodie, Caspian, and Cordelia Campbell, and Elizabeth Velasco.

Patty will be remembered for her kindness, her creativity, and her steadfast devotion to her family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.