Patti Mark

Patti Russell Mark (Patsy Gene) passed away peacefully at her Houston home on January 29, 2025, at the young age of 97. She was born on October 1, 1927, in Ft. Worth, TX. She was preceded in death by her husband R. Dewey Mark, married 51 years. Patti’s and Dewey’s respective families grew up together in Arlington, TX. Two years apart in age, Dewey would tell the story he remembered about traveling from Denton to Ft. Worth to attend a baby shower for Patti. It seems their lives together were sealed early.

Though much younger than her sister Maxine, and brother Bobby, Patti grew up surrounded by cousins who were her playmates and life-long friends. As a cheerleader at Pascal High School in Ft. Worth, Patti dreamed of being a Rockett at Radio City Music Hall and took up dance. Sadly, while leaping over a piano, a mishap dashed that dream. Always undaunted, she refocused on gaining other skills and a burgeoning love for a young navy lieutenant far from home. In 1945, while attending North Texas State University, Patti was unexpectedly called from class and greeted by Dewey, looking very handsome in his naval officers uniform, just home from war. Immediately, Dewey proposed to her down on a knee in front of many swooning and cheering onlookers. They were married two years later on August 31, 1947.

With Dewey, she lived an amazing life, assisting his career in the petrochemical industry, traveling the world, raising a family, and always having a deep love of life and even deeper faith. Though they lived in several places, Houston and for a while San Antonio were home. Patti was an extraordinary homemaker, gifted and gracious, with a humble elegance, she was known as a superb tailor, cook, decorator, gardener, watercolor painter and even referee, having raised a husband and three sons.

Patti is survived by two sons Daniel and Russell. Dan is married to Allyson and live in Houston. They are blessed with four children and their spouses, Lisa & Luke Henderson, David & Kaitlyn Mark, Laura & Ryan McNutt, and Linda & Scott Terrell, along with 10 great grandchildren: Lottie, Luke, Libby, Maxine, Roscoe, Crawford, Mary Allyson, William, Lilly, and Louise. Russell (Rusty) is married to his husband Michael Bone. They live in McMinnville, Oregon. Patti and Dewey’s eldest son, Michael, passed away in 1985.

Throughout her life, Patti’s faith in Christ led her to be active in church and mission work, always giving back to community and sharing her faith. Once in Jerusalem, at the Dome of the Rock, she even shared her testimony with a Muslim imam. Though neither convinced the other to convert, he expressed his total joy at her passion for Jesus. She and Dewey became charter members of Tallowood Baptist in Houston in 1960 where they raised their sons. Later they joined Trinity Baptist in San Antonio where they had moved for Dewey’s work. Coming back to Houston years later with her beloved dog, Teddy, Patti declared returning to Tallowood was like coming home again. Known for her extraordinary love of life and people, Patti continuously expressed her gratitude to all, even in her last moments. She is forever engraved in our hearts and memories for her love, her consistency, her humor, and deep compassion, urging us all to live our best lives, for which we were created.

Patti will be interred in San Antonio, alongside Dewey at Mission Park North, in a gathering of her family. Her Celebration of Life will occur February 11, 2025, at 10:30 am at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston Texas. If you would like to make a memorial gift in her honor, please consider Star of Hope Mission in Houston or Juliette’s House Child Abuse Intervention Center in Oregon.