Sue Patton

Sarah Sue Dennis Patton, 81, died peacefully at her home in Abilene, Texas on Saturday, December 10.

Sue was born on September 18, 1941, in Stamford, Texas.  She was the daughter of the late Raymond and Effie (Posey) Dennis of Rotan, Texas.  She spent all of her growing up years in Rotan, Texas and graduated from Rotan High School in 1960.  She participated in many public-school activities including being a cheerleader and lettering in basketball and tennis. 

On August 28, 1964, she married the love of her life, Ed Patton in Rotan, Texas.  After Ed’s graduation from the University of Texas they left Austin and lived in many places due to Ed’s work for a major oil company.  They formed many great friendships, especially during their seven years in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  Ed later started his own oil exploration company in Abilene, Texas and they raised their children in Abilene.  Sue’s most cherished accomplishments were being a wife and a mother.  She stayed totally involved in her children’s school activities as well as their extra circular activities which included band, sports, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.  She felt very fortunate to be able to devote so much time to her family. 

Sue was also very involved in her church.  She and Ed were members of Holy Family Catholic Church in Abilene from 1978 until her death.  At one time or the other she was involved in most of the committees at Holy Family.  She and a friend were founders of the Reception Committee.  Sue was thought to be the first female President of Holy Family’s Pastoral Council.  She was a self-taught florist and pursued that activity for 15 years.  She created many of the Church’s floral arrangements over the years which brought her great joy. 

Sue was preceded in death by her two sons, Mark and Edward.  Also, her parents, Raymond and Effie Dennis and her in-laws, Ed and Elizabeth Patton.  Her brother Robert Dennis and his wife Anne and their son Sean.   A sister, Margaret and her husband Gene Ritter.  Brother E.B. Dennis and his wife Patsy.

Sue is survived by her husband Ed Patton and daughter Beth and granddaughter, Olivia, both of Fort Worth, Texas.  A sister-in-law Betty Abdallah and family of Miami Beach, FL a brother-in-law David Patton and family of Garland, TX and a brother-in-law Robert Patton and family of Abilene, TX.  She is also survived by many cousins, nephews and nieces located all over the United States.  Ed is fond of saying that when he married Sue, he married half of Fisher County as her mother was a Posey and her father was a Dennis, both being large farming and ranching families of Fisher and Stonewall Counties, Texas.

Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 15 at Hamil Family Funeral Home’s Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene.  Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am Friday, December 16 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 5410 Buffalo Gap Road, with Pastor Rev. Adam Droll and Msgr. Fred Nawarskas officiating.  Following Mass all are invited to a luncheon in the Parish Hall.  Interment will then follow at 2:00 pm. Friday in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories, 5701 Highway 277 South.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to any of the many fine charitable organizations of Abilene or to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (afsp.org).