Patricia "Patti" May Spellman

After a long and blessed life, Patricia May Spellman, 82, of Dallas passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2023, held in the hands of her family and in the hearts and prayers of her friends. She will always be remembered for the love and joy that she shared for others while a daughter, sister, wife, mother, Nana and friend. Patti was born on May 18, 1941, in Chambersburg, PA., the second of two children to John and Mary (Greenawalt) Arris.

Patti graduated from Chambersburg High School in 1959 and then stayed and worked in Chambersburg for a couple years. Patti then went on to graduate in 1961 from the prestigious American Airline’s Stewardess College in Dallas/Ft. Worth, and flew with American for several years, which was a perfect match for her love for people and desire to care for and serve others. Her close-knit flight attendant crew was based out of New York City, and they have stayed close after all these years. Her crew even played a role in introducing Patti to the man whom she would marry. Patti married James (Jim) Spellman on January 23, 1965, in Chambersburg, PA, at Corpus Christi Church. Together for 58 years, Patti and Jim lived in MO, CT, KY, NJ, IL and finally Texas, their long-term home.

After several years of raising three children as a stay-at-home mom and tennis with her girlfriends, Patti, in an entrepreneurial spirit, founded and operated an Executive Suites in Dallas. In later years, Patti, along with Jim, became part-time Hill Country ranchers in Johnson City, TX. The roles that brought her greatest joy, however, were those of wife, mom and Nana.

Patti is survived by her husband of 58 years Jim Spellman of Dallas, TX, brother Robert (Bob) Arris of Temple, TX, children Paige Elliott (Curtis Elliott) of Dallas, Jim Spellman II of Nashville, TN, and Heather Anding (Scott Anding) of Dallas; grandchildren Lindsey, Aaron and Katie Elliott and Madison and Thomas Anding. Patti loved her Dallas Cowboys and spending time with her close family, especially hosting family and friends at their Ranch for 20+ years and exploring all the great sites, events, and food in south Texas.

A Funeral Mass for Patti will be held on January 19th, 2024, at 1:00pm at Christ the King Catholic Church in Dallas, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a long-term charitable recipient of Patti and Jim’s: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.