Patsy Jo Kelley Faught Adams Ziegler was born September 13, 1934 in Dallas (TX) to Lowell Wilson and Mary Jo Kelley. She passed away at age 83 in Mt. Ida (AR) June 23, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother (Thomas Lowell Kelley), numerous relatives, and her greatest love (Marvin Jerome Adams, Jr.). She is survived by three children and their spouses (Brian Keith and Kim Faught of League City, TX; Kent Stephen and Danielle Faught of Hot Springs, AR; and, Melinda Leigh and Will Clark of Conroe, TX), eight grandchildren with spouses (Stephen and Hillary Faught, Tiffany and Clint Hill, Tyler Faught, Timmy Faught, Tommy and Vicki Faught, Sean Faught, Kelsey Clark, and Zac Clark), one great-grandchild (Walker Hill); sister-in-law (Jeanie Kelley); nieces and nephew (Kerrie and Steve Huffman, Cindy Kelley, and David Kelley); life-long friends (Bill and Gloria Self); and numerous other friends and colleagues. Brilliant and beautiful, Pat was a complex individual. She achieved numerous professional and personal accomplishments throughout her life. Pat graduated high school in Dallas and played both volleyball and basketball, then earned Bachelor and Master degrees from North Texas State Teacher’s College including working on the college yearbook. Hired by the Dallas Morning News, Pat interviewed LBJ several times and had a memorable interview of Eleanor Roosevelt. Pat worked the preponderance of her journalism career in hospital public relations, receiving awards for excellence regularly. During her final decade of work Pat taught Mass Communications classes at Sam Houston State University and served as yearbook advisor. Although meticulously demanding, Pat’s courses were regularly filled quickly because students recognized the premium quality instruction they received. Pat was selected as a member of the committee to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the university. Pat was a Master Gardner, trained in small engine repair, relished line and square dancing, and co-developed Operation Diploma at First Presbyterian Church in Arlington with her husband Don. Her marvelous creativity included a lifetime of copious craft-making, including a pinecone-based wreath cherished as family Christmas gifts Fiercely protective of family and loved ones, Pat loved and was loved by an abundance of people throughout her life from Dallas to West Germany to Arlington to Whitehouse to North Carolina to Houston to Huntsville to Mt. Ida. Divorcing her first husband in the late 1970’s, Pat became a single mother of three adolescent and teen kids at a time where this was not the cultural norm. Moving to East Texas, Pat met Marvin Adams at a Parents Without Partner’s social event and the pair was quickly married. Pat’s kids all graduated from Whitehouse High School before leaving for the Navy, college, careers, and families. Subsequent moves took Pat to Baltimore and North Carolina before returning to Texas, thereby broadening her network of friends. Much of what made Pat complex were her assorted idiosyncrasies. Pat loved words, which she shared around the supper table with her kids throughout their childhood. She wanted her kids to have an expansive vocabulary which included knowing the definition, pronunciation, and proper contextual use of words. Pat’s beauty included the outfits she wore. Everything always matched. Pat was of the generation, and as public relations professional knowing the importance of image, that did not include business casual attire at work. Skirt or pants, blouse or dress, shoes, hose, scarves, broaches, necklaces, and ear rings were exquisite ensembles. Ironically, this driven professional woman also loved digging in the dirt. She successfully grew plants and flowers all through life. Family learned it was best to leave her alone if she was picking weeds after work, as this was her stress relief. That Marvin’s personality was the polar opposite to her was likely the paramount quirk of her life, but they adored one another and were wonderful for each other. The word avid does not sufficiently convey Pat’s love of books, obsessive compulsion might have been more accurate. Pat’s collectables included salt and pepper shakers, elephant and other statues, African masks, and paintings. Craft hobbies included sewing, latch hook, woodworking, and macramé. She enjoyed cats and traveling, was a phenomenal cook and baker, and delighted in spending time with grandchildren watching movies or allowing them to range the campus of SHSU. Unique means “only one of its kind.” Pat was unique. The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to Montgomery County Nursing Home in Mt. Ida, Arkansas for their loving care. A memorial service will be held at Cashner Funeral Home on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.act.alz.org .
