Joyce Arline Puckett Patterson, Ed. D.

Born in Benton, IL to Curtis and Myrtle Puckett, she was the eldest of three daughters. She graduted with honors from Northeast High School (now MacArthur); from Texas A & I University with a BS in Education; Summa Cum Laude from Georgia Southern University with a M. Ed; and Summa Cum Laude with a Doctorate in Education from Texas A & M University.

The following is a compilation of her many accomplishments. An elementary school teacher for many years, Arline held certifications in five states. After falling in love with teaching adults, that became her unswerving path forward. She was manager of the first Adult Learning Lab in Savannah, GA. In 1980, she was hired by NEISD to strengthen the Adult/Community Education Program and soon became Director. Assembling a team of outstanding women, the program became the best in Texas and gained national recognition for excellence. As President, TX Community Education Association, she became known as the "Grand Dame of Community Education". One of her proudest accomplishments was as founder of the NEISD Academy of Creative Education (ACE), a nontraditional high school for dropout interventions, which has graduated over 3,500 students. Its Student Center is named after Arline. Nationally, she held liaison positions, frequently chaired conventions and influenced legislators on behalf of adult education. She was known as the best grant writer in the state.

She was a founding board member of City Year SA and Texas A&M San Antonio. She served on the board of the NEISD Educational Foundation; George Gervin Youth Center; Alamo Ovarion Cancer Alliance; Scholarship Chair, San Antonio Womens Hall of Fame, where she was inducted for widespread volunteerism; Executive Director for Professional Development, Texas Lutheran University; and member, Seguin Rotary Club.

As the wife of a Regular Army Officer, Arline endured long separations mandated by the service, ran the household single-handedly, and fought cancer four times. Never exhibiting self-pity, she bravely kept calm and carried on. After breast cancer, she worked tirelessly and was successful in her initiative to have military insurance pay the cost of breast reconstruction for all military wives. She cherished her family, friends, and church, where she was a deacon and a trustee. She loved to entertain, and her gourmet meals were followed with interesting conversation. She and Gary especially enjoyed hosting friends and family in Kauai, HI and Newport Beach, CA.

Arline is preceded in death by her parents, and brothers-in-law, Jack Reagan, Duke Ulrich and Douglas Patterson. She is survived by Gary, her husband of 61 years, sons, Parke (Angie), Derek (Aimee); grandsons, Austin, Weston, Hunter; sisters, Verna Reagan and Patsy Spray (Leigh). The family sincerely thanks the compassionate caregivers at Amedisys Hospice. There will be a private graveside service at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service on Monday, January 10, at 2 PM, Trinity Baptist Church, 319 E. Mulberry Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in honor of Arline to Trinity Baptist Church or to the San Antonio Womens Hall of Fame, noting the Arline Patterson Scholarship Fund.