Helen Patman, November 15, 1920 - September 14, 2009

Early Monday morning, surrounded by her children, Helen Patman went to be with her Lord. Born on Nov. 15, 1920, to Albert and Sarah Lucy Moorehead Harris, Helen grew up in Scurry, Texas, and graduated from Scurry-Rosser High School in 1940. Helen married Henry Patman on April 1, 1944. They lived with their six children first in the Ables Spring community before moving to Terrell. She retired from Vistawall after almost 30 years and will be greatly missed by her Vistawall family.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her brothers Raymond and Manuel Harris, and her sister Nell Chandler. She is survived by her children: Phil Patman and wife Shirley of Sulphur Springs, James Patman and wife Lavina of Ennis, Nellois Upchurch and husband Roy of Terrell, Deborah Phillips and husband Charles of Jacksonville, Fla., Teresa McAnally and husband Jimmy of Terrell, and Royce Patman and wife Kelly of Terrell. She also has 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Helen led a long, rich life. A faithful member of the Ables Spring Church of Christ, she led by example. She taught her children to be strong, to value the importance of faith, family, and education as the greatest things in life. She took advantage of every opportunity to travel and see God’s handiwork around our great nation. Her home is crowded with pictures of her large, close-knit family. She told stories of family members long gone, determined that we would never forget where we came from. Stories that we faithfully tell our children so that they will never be forgotten.

Helen Patman was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt. She will be missed, but we know that we will be reunited in Heaven.

Her funeral service, under the direction of Goggans Funeral Home, will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17 in Goggans Funeral Home chapel with Todd Peavy officiating. Her burial will follow the service in the Ables Springs Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at the funeral home. Her grandsons will be her pallbearers.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Goggans Funeral Home in Terrell.