Elizabeth Lord Kirkpatrick Stice

June 22, 1929 – March 13, 2014

Elizabeth passed away in Austin Texas, at age 84, after a brief illness. She was born in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma to Col. Frank S. and Priscilla Austin Kirkpatrick. As a Army officer's daughter, she and her two brothers, Don and Ed, traveled the world for twenty five years to many Army bases, from the Champaign-Urbana, IL, Presidio of Monterey, CA, Southern Pines, NC, near Ft. Bragg, Hattiesburg, MS, Tacoma, WA, to the Philippines and Japan, and finally to Austin, where her family settled after the death of her father.

Elizabeth attended Austin High School, where she was in drama, and was a Red Jacket. She was a graduate of the University of Texas with a Bachelor's degree in English, attended Wichita University, and Washington State University, and was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. After graduation, she married Major Ray B. Stice and had many years together, raising four children, Karen, Robin, Kirk and Kathy. As a Marine Officer's wife, the family continued to travel for another twenty years around the United States, from east coast to west, but returned to Austin, to be near her mother, Priscilla. She called Austin her home, although she never lost her northern accent.

Elizabeth was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother. She would never say no to any expedition or adventure. Music filled our home with her piano playing and Kathy singing. She loved to do the jitterbug and dance. She is also famous for the old "One, Two" punch. She was a wonderful storyteller and would regale us with stories of her ship travels across the Pacific Ocean four times, being a teenager in Japan and meeting and receiving a pearl necklace from Mr. Mikimoto, himself.

Elizabeth was willing to give advice on any subject, whether you wanted it or not and always spoke her mind. She enjoyed many wonderful international friendships and was known for her generous hospitality. She was a fierce democrat and loved intellectual political debates. Her love for her family was exceptionally close. She loved words, writing letters, and wrote many poems, stories and a special children's book, titled Mrs. Crumble Bumble that we will cherish. She had many nicknames such as Ms. Liz, Gig, Gigi, Gidget, Milt, Maza, Madre, Mer, and FanTc3.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents, husband Ray, brother Ed, son Kirk, and granddaughter Heather. Survivors include her brother Don, her children, Karen & Bill Ratliff, grandsons Bob & Will Ratliff, great granddaughter Scarlett, step-granddaughter Ashley; Robin & Mark Maroney, granddaughter Katy and Phil Perry and great grandson Walker and Kelly Maroney; Kirk's daughter Bonnie Stice, and Kathy & Clif Blanchard, grandchildren Patrick and Mary, Nephew Loren Kirkpatrick, Niece Ellen Kirkpatrick Ault and their families, and her extended Austin family including Beth Austin West and all her many siblings, and her many worldly friends and neighbors, including Kay, Brynley, Stephanie, Libby and Yvette.

Special thanks to the amazing staff members of Hospice Austin Christopher House and Seton Hospital, generous nurses and helpful doctors, Drs. Helmer and Hull.

A memorial celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 22 at 10:00 am at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Chapel (Shelton Chapel) at 100 E. 27th Street with Pastor Jim Roberts presiding. Interment of her ashes will follow at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Drive. Following the interment refreshments will be served at Elizabeth's home.