Patsy Downing Ivins

Patsy Lela Ivins came into this world on November 10, 1938 when she was born to Wayne and Inez Downing in Monahans, Texas. She drew her last breath in this mortal life on July 1, 2026 in Odessa, surrounded by her three sons.

Services are pending at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home in Odessa, Texas.

Named for her maternal grandparents Pat and Lela Jernigan, Patsy grew up in the tiny West Texas oil town of Wickett. Patsy was baptized into Christ and His church at the Wickett Church of Christ when she was 14 years old. It was Patsy’s mother who would introduce her to a young milkman named Jimmy Ivins. That introduction led to a romance that would culminate in their marriage on July 23, 1955 in her parent’s living room in Wickett. They were married almost 48 years until Jimmy’s death on March 11, 2002.

Patsy was an “All-American” stay-at-home Mom, where she stayed busy raising three sons. Her face was always in the crowd at sporting events, school plays, and band concerts. When money was scarce, Patsy was a master at making a budget meal seem like a gourmet feast. An avid sports fan, she loved the Permian Panthers, the Texas Longhorns, the Dallas Cowboys, the Houston Astros, the Duke Blue Devils, and the San Antonio Spurs.

Patsy was a loving Mom, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great-Great Grandmother. She also loved her large extended family, and enjoyed staying in contact with her cousins who are scattered across the country. Patsy had a special affection for her sisters and brothers in Christ at the Parkview Church of Christ. They all brought special joy to her life.

Patsy is preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Inez Downing, and her siblings, Barbara Jane Downing, Billy Downing, and Jeannie Downing Whisenant. Her niece, Karen Downing Humphreys also preceded her in death.

Patsy is survived by her three sons, Jimmy Ivins, Jr. and his wife Claudia of Odessa, John Ivins of Midland, and Bill Ivins of Amarillo. Also left to cherish her memory are her niece, Darla Vann of Houston and her nephew, Danny Whisenant and his partner, Brenda Carnes of Houston, as well as her grandchildren, Laura Ivins of Roanoke, Virginia, Grace Ivins, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Sean Ivins of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Patsy also leaves behind four great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.