Patricia Anne Clapp

Patricia Anne Clapp entered into Heaven on August 8, 2024, ready to dance on the streets of gold with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her loved family and friends who preceded her. Much of Patsy’s life was marked by sharing the good news of the gospel and the joy it gave her. She was a life-long member of Marvin Methodist Church and reared her children in the same sanctuary that her parents and grandparents were married. As an adult, Patsy co-founded the Seekers Class; founded the largest women’s bible study and fellowship group, The Susannah Wesley Circle; and taught high schoolers on Sunday mornings with her brother, Matt Clapp. After returning to Tyler to live the past two years of her life, she was quickly asked to serve on Marvin’s Administrative Counsel, an honor she cherished. Her volunteer work extended to membership in The Garden Club of Tyler and serving on the boards of the East Texas Symphony League and the Junior League of Tyler, where she was influential in establishing the Juvenile Attention Center for convicted youth. Toward the end of her life, Patsy found great pleasure in volunteering at the Hospice of East Texas every Tuesday.

Patsy’s service to others was also readily apparent within her own home. She relished hosting and preparing spreads for socializing or sharing meals with family and friends. Her children and grandchildren were her favorite guests. She was happiest when spending time with them, even taking it personally when they grew up. To her children and grandchildren, Pasty was an example of independence and competence, often figuring out how to do things that were outside of her expertise and teaching her children that all things were possible. Patsy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Southern Methodist University, where she was a proud member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority, and utilized her degree in rearing her children well. She delighted in her children’s sports activities and accomplishments, often reminding them that there were no organized sports for girls when she was growing up, and that women were typically resigned to nursing and teaching. Patsy broke the “glass ceiling” by successfully turning her love of beautiful things into a thriving antiques and design business in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Tyler—at a time when women entrepreneurs were few. She credited much of her antiquing success to her mentor and good friend, BJ Powers.

Patsy kept a note on her refrigerator as a young mother and a similar ceramic plaque in her kitchen at 78 years old that read, “Life is not a dress rehearsal.” She lived life to the fullest as an accomplished ballroom dancer and equestrian, skilled hostess of dinner parties, player of Rumikub, and seamstress (even making her own wedding gown and children’s baptism gowns). Patsy also loved gardening and shared with her children on multiple occasions that Thomas Jefferson used to keep a daily sun diary to know where to best plant certain flowers because, despite loving them, they won’t grow if they don’t get proper sun. She stressed the importance and wisdom of America’s founding fathers, including by requiring her children to listen to “Our Lives, Our Fortunes and Our Sacred Honor” by Paul Harvey while riding in the car to her brother’s ranch each July 4th. Patsy felt strongly about younger generations educating themselves on history, government, and becoming active, voting citizens.

While Patsy’s family and friends will greatly miss her until reunited in the heavenly realms, they take great peace knowing Patsy’s joy in God’s creation is now overflowing. Until we meet again, we trust Pasty is enjoying her tea in the mornings in a beautiful tea cup with almond biscotti, marveling at the songbirds she loved, and singing the Lord’s praises.

Patsy is preceded in death by her parents, Judge Harold and Ann Clapp; aunt, Dorothy Richbourg; brother, Matt Clapp; and nephew, Travis Clapp. She is survived and will be missed by daughters, Carrie Caton Smith (son-in-law Dr. Evans Smith), Sarah Caton Wynne (son-in-law David Wynne), and Claire Caton; grandchildren, Eliza Pillsbury, Hampton Pillsbury, Anna Caton Wynne, and Ross Wynne; sister, Pamela Evans (brother-in-law Will Evans); brother, Mike Clapp, sister-in-law, Janie Clapp, nieces, nephews and many, many friends.

Please join the family in a celebration of her life in Pirtle Hall at Marvin Methodist Church on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Susan Andrews Hageman officiating, with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Matt Clapp Fund at the Hospice of East Texas.