Patricia Ruth Vernon
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Patricia Ruth Ballew Vernon, born on May 1, 1937, in Irene, Hill County, Texas and passed away July 27, 2024 in Red Oak, Texas.
Patricia, Pat or Aunt Pat to those who knew her, grew up in tiny little Red Oak, Texas and enjoyed playing basketball at Red Oak High School where she graduated as the Valedictorian of her class. Growing up she also loved to visit her grandparents on their farm. She had always wanted to learn to fly, which may have come from her enjoyment of being able to hitch a ride on flights at the airport where her dad worked, but that was not to come to pass. However, her inability to learn how to fly, may have been the catalyst for her thorough enjoyment of driving just around. She would often drive along the farm roads down to Waxahachie to enjoy the excitement of that nearby "large town". She loved to drive and was none too happy when the family was finally forced to take her keys from her at the tender age of 85! She would sometimes complain that "they" wouldn't let her drive anymore, but in her gracious way would quickly agree with you. When reminded she didn't know where she was anymore and it would be a bad idea, she would graciously reply, "Yes, you're probably right".
Pat enjoyed old hymns and music from the 50's and 60's, and especially Elvis Presley's music. She loved old westerns, and anything John Wayne. One of her favorite pastimes was working different types of word puzzles and at anytime you could find a wide variety of puzzle books at various places around the house.
She enjoyed her family and friends in Red Oak, but wanted to explore the big city of Dallas and moved up there after graduating high school. It was here she began working as a computer operator for Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) and later for University Computing Company, where she became a computer floor supervisor where she worked until she retired.
Pat had met her husband Richard in high school, but it would be many years before they reconnected in the little town of Red Oak. They were married in 1980 and enjoyed their time with family and friends around the area until they moved to their retirement home in Gun Barrel City, Texas.
Pat will always be remembered for her faith, love of family, kindness of spirit and generosity. She was gracious and thoughtful to all, always quick with a telephone call, or card on a special day or just to let others know that she was thinking of them. The family is so deeply blessed that the Lord allowed her sweetness of spirit to remain with her until her passing.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents Charles Ballew and Geneva Reed Ballew, her husband Charles Richard Vernon, her brothers Darrell Wayne Ballew and Jerry Lynn Ballew, her son in law James Howard Childress and brother in law Robert F. Golden and her grandson Aaron Michael Vernon.
She is survived by her daughter, Marianne Childress of Red Oak, her son Mark Vernon and wife Deanna of Corinth, Sister Barbara Golden of Mabank granddaughters Kayleigh Crow of Denton, Jennifer Childress of Red Oak and grandson Caleb Crow of Grapevine.
A visitation for Pat will be held 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Eubank Cedar Creek Funeral Home, 601 S. 3rd Street, Mabank Texas 75147. Followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM, at the funeral home. After the service, Pat will be laid to rest in her beloved Red Oak Cemetery, 599 TX-342, Red Oak Texas 75154 at approximately 2:00 PM.