Donna Eugena Patton

Donna Patton Garza, 58, passed away Monday, November 11, 2013 in Abilene. Funeral services will be 2:00p.m., Thursday, November 14, 2013 at Lytle South Baptist Church, 1125 E. Industrial Blvd., with Rev. Rodney Watson officiating. Burial will follow in the McBee Cemetery (near Tuscola) under the direction of Community Memorial Funeral Home, 1443 N. 2nd St., Abilene. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5 to 7p.m. at the funeral home.

Donna was born on August 25, 1955 in Ballinger, TX to Curtis Patton and Gladys Hallmark Patton.

In her professional life, Donna was an excellent, compassionate, homebound teacher. She loved her students through many difficult circumstances. She was named Wal Mart’s Teacher of the Year in 2007 for the Abilene region and is still remembered by many students as the teacher who helped them through the hardest times of their lives.

Donna is remembered by friends and family as a woman of compassion and kindness who listened to others and provided help when she could. She was a Baptist.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Curtis and Gladys Patton; and her husband, Fermin Garza, Jr.

Survivors include her son, Joshua Patton of Abilene; two sisters, Deborah Foster and husband, Ricky of Big Spring and Darla Swanner and husband, Joe of Abilene; nephew, Jonathan Foster; three nieces, Lisa Brackin and husband, Adam, Rebecca Swanner and Christina Swanner; one grandson, Branson Patton of Abilene; several aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins.