Pat was born in Abilene, TX, on January 8, 1957. She and her older siblings, Carolyn (the protector), Johny (the dreamer), and Pam (the twin) had a rough start in life, but found love and safety when adopted all together by John Robert “Buster” and Dorothy “Dot” Nicholson. She grew up in Pearsall, TX where she learned to swim in a watering tank, invite herself and Pam over to any neighbor with a pool, and found her love of being active in any and every sport. Pat also fell for a local boy, Rudy Chapa, and they started a family welcoming their daughters Cher and Christie.
After moving to San Antonio, Pat and Rudy parted ways, but she had already proven herself an exceptionally hard worker so when faced to provide as a single mom, she worked her way up at a bank to become a successful loan officer. She was remarkably good with numbers and even at the time of her death could still remember every phone number any of her family had ever had.
Pat met Steve Garner at Midnight Rodeo, a country dance hall. He swept her off her feet and together they built a beautiful life. She loved listening to him play guitar and singing (off-key) along to the many songs he wrote for and about her.
Pat’s challenges early in life could have made her bitter, but instead they made her empathetic and compassionate. She was a beacon to anyone within 100 feet of her that needed an extra dose of kindness or special attention. Strangers somehow found their way to her in crowded malls, in long lines at amusement parks and park benches and Pat never disappointed them – she always offered a listening ear and genuine warmth.
As good as she was one-on-one, Pat thrived as the life of the party. Her friendliness could only be surpassed by her good-naturedness, and those qualities meant she lifted the spirits of those around her. Even her plants came alive with her care. She loved games and sports, Halloween and Christmas, parties and barbecues, but she loved inviting people to those things even more.
Family meant everything to Pat. She loved deeply and loyally. She generously shared her strength and encouragement which made her family confident and brave - whether it was in a new job or just a trip overseas, she was excited for others’ adventures. She forgave quickly and was usually the first to ask for it herself.
She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Steve (who will miss her love and devotion the most); mother-in-law, Gloria Herzog (her ready smile) ; daughter, Cher Kilgore (late-night talks); daughter, Christie Dickson (her thoughtfulness and loyalty), son-in-law, Steven (that she always wanted to host family get-togethers); granddaughter, Lauren Jett (her laugh and hugs which felt like home), grandson-in-law, Gregg (her beans); granddaughter, Devon Kilgore (her smile, faith and the way she cared for others); granddaughter, Gabby Dickson (playing Catch Phrase super loudly and competitively); granddaughter, Mia Dickson (her beans - they really were that good); and, great-grandson, Jackson Jett (that she always loved his paintings). She will be greatly missed by her surviving sisters, Carolyn (Wayne) Hastings and Pam (Jim) Scheffy and extended family including loving nieces, nephew and in-laws. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Buster and Dot Nicholson, and her brother, Johny Nicholson. She had no doubt that she would see them again with Jesus in heaven.
A celebration of life for Patricia will be held Friday, August 22, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Cashner Funeral Home, 801 Teas Road, Conroe, TX 77303. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that in her honor you say hello to a stranger this week and sign up to be an organ donor at donatelifetexas.org.
