Derinda Michelle Saucier

Derinda Michelle Saucier was known as many things to many people. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, Derinda will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

      Derinda was born on August 16, 1971 at St. Mary's Hopsital in Knoxvile, Tennessee. She was the daughter of George Avery Patrick and Patricia Neal Patrick.

      As a young girl, Derinda had a number of interests. Like most children, she enjoyed playing and making up games. She was curious about the world around her and was often eager to explore it. She was a brownie scout. In her spare time she liked swimming and reading. However, to Derinda, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her friends.

      A typical teenager, Derinda had a fairly happy high school experience, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. She enjoyed some classes more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers.

      Derinda enjoyed her college years, which may have been a challenge with all of the academics, responsibilities, and the sudden freedom that accompanied them, but Derinda was able to manage the balancing act. She earned her certification in aesthetician from Draughn's College.

      Always considered a “good” friend to those she knew, Derinda enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during her lifetime. While growing up, some of her best friends were Sherry Smith. Later in life, she became friends with Julie Stavn, Amy Dunlap, Wendy Peper, Tonya Buchanan, and Teddy Vaughn Wilkinson.

       Empathic and loyal, Derinda was committed to making her new family happy.

      Derinda worked hard to be a good mother to her child and she did her best to fulfill his needs. Derinda was blessed with one child, one son Logan Patrick-Neal. Another blessing for Derinda was the gift of one grandchild, Holden Patrick-Neal.

      Fortunately, Derinda enjoyed what she did for a living. Showing a strong work ethic, Derinda worked diligently and did her best to succeed in her career. Her primary occupation was in Retail Management. She was employed for two and a half years by Tandy Leather. Derinda always sought to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Derinda enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were reading, public speaking, writing poetry, going to the movies. She was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

      Derinda found pleasure in sports. Derinda was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite events whenever she had the chance to do so. Tops on her list were New Mexico Lobos Football and Albuquerque Isotopes Baseball.

      Throughout her life, Derinda was a doer and was always actively involved in professional and community organizations. Throughout her later years, Derinda was an active member of the Deeper Still in Knoxville, Tennessee and Soul Sisters in Lubbock, texas.

      Derinda’s faith was important to her. She was a member Faith Promise Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. During that time, she was speaker at women's faith groups in the Knoxville area.

      Derinda enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for her to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included traveling to Europe.

      Derinda was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of her favorites was Kopi a long haired Chihuahua dog. They were best friends for i year. Her family was rounded out by her cat.

      Derinda passed away on March 18, 2016 at at her home in Little Elm, Texas. Derinda fought a brave battle against pancreatic cancer. Derinda is survived by her Fiancé, Ted Wilkinson; Son, Logan Patrick-Neal; Mother, Patricia A. Neal; Grandchildren, Holden Neal, Cash Simmons; Ted’s Children, Tracye and Jerrod Simmons, and Tyler and Barri Wilkinson; Uncle, David A. Neal; Cousins, Jack Taylor, Christy Taylor, Hope Taylor, Bailey Taylor and Arielle Neal; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members from Lenoir City, and special friends Julie, Sherri, Amy, Wendy, and Tonya. Services were held at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home Memorial Chapel in Colleyville, Texas. Derinda was laid to rest in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas.

      Simply stated, Derinda was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Derinda leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Derinda Michelle Saucier.

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Derinda M. Saucier passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 18, 2016.

Derinda was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee in August of 1971 to parents George Patrick and Patricia Neal. As a child, she was very spirited. Through her faith, she was able to influence others in all facets of life. She participated in Women’s Ministry Groups, one in Knoxville, called Deeper Still, and later with Soul Sisters prayer group in Lubbock, Texas. To Derinda, her family and faith came first. She was a loving fiancée, daughter, mother, grandmother and friend. Her outgoing personality drew others to her, and she developed many strong friendships. Throughout her career, she excelled in her profession and was a dedicated and talented employee of Tandy Leather. Her compassion, bold faith and strength are what she leaves to her family as her legacy.

Memorial Donations may be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation in Derinda’s Memory to www.npcf.us/donate

Derinda is preceded in death by her father, George Avery Patrick; grandparents, Keith Patrick, Bessie Patrick, Edna V. Neal, Helen S. Neal, and George T. Neal; Aunt, Sheilah N. Wallace and Uncle, Gary W. Neal.

Derinda is survived by her Fiancé, Ted Wilkinson; Son, Logan Patrick-Neal; Mother, Patricia A. Neal; Grandchildren, Holden Neal, Cash Simmons; Ted’s Children, Tracye and Jerrod Simmons, and Tyler and Barri Wilkinson; Uncle, David A. Neal; Cousins, Jack Taylor, Christy Taylor, Hope Taylor, Bailey Taylor and Arielle Neal; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members from Lenoir City, and special friends Julie, Sherri, Amy, Wendy, and Tonya.