Joyce Patton

Catherine Joyce Patton was born August 16th, 1932 in Amarillo, Texas to Edd and DeEtte Lovell. She is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth “Red” Patton; and her brother, Leslie Lovell. She is survived by her two sons, Edd and Patrick Patton; Pat’s wife, Lisa and daughter, Gracie; and Edd’s daughter, India. Joyce and Red lived in Round Rock since 1980.

Joyce was a lifelong lover of books and reading, graduating from Southwestern University in Georgetown. She taught school for a short time before working at Austin White Lime in Round Rock for years. Her longest career was at UT Austin in the Physics Department. She was greatly valued and respected there, and helped many students.

She once attended dinner with Stephen Hawking at his request while at UT, since she had been of such help arranging his visit. She also helped a faculty member from France set up a school there one summer. The Patton family frequently hosted foreign students at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners as they were unable to travel to their home countries.

Joyce was an excellent wife and mother and touched many lives at UT and elsewhere. Many nieces, nephews, and others remarked on how special she was. She mostly held herself above the fray, being respectful and relentlessly courteous. She was sharply intelligent but was judicious in offering opinions.

The family will be having a private service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Please visit Joyce’s memorial site at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com where you can share memories and leave condolences for her family.