Patsy Roecker McElroy

Patsy Roecker McElroy, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, slipped quietly and peacefully from this world on Monday, January 23, 2017, surrounded by the love and presence of family and encompassed by God who entrusted her to us. The prayers offered for all of us have provided solace, sustenance and comfort, and will continue to do so as we find our way through the coming days and weeks. Patsy was born in her parents’ home in the little community of Glen Flora, Texas, on April 9, 1937, and was the only child of Carl and Marie Roecker. The Roeckers managed the local general store, Dayvault Store, and early on, Patsy became responsible for having a hearty lunch on the table for her hard-working parents. Expectations were high for Patsy who developed into a detail-oriented, conscientious and responsible young woman. She did manage to slip away often for hours of imaginative play with best friend Ada Schaller (Kiatta). Admiring her high stepping as drum major of Wharton High School Band was baritone-tooting Dee Russel McElroy. Patsy followed Dee to the University of Texas where their relationship flourished. She pledged Zeta Tau Alpha, making some of her lifelong friends at the sorority house. Dee and Patsy married in Wharton in 1957 at First United Methodist Church Wharton. Due to his dad’s declining health, Dee took leadership of his father’s insurance business and Patsy began creating a vibrant homelife and nurturing a creative part of her that blossomed through the years. The McElroys welcomed three daughters into their lives. Patsy was the most attentive mom – driving the girls to swim, dance, piano and guitar lessons, serving as Scout leader, helping with Vacation Bible Schools at First United Methodist Church Wharton, finding great summer camps and adventurous vacation spots. Patsy instilled in her girls a zest for life, a love of nature and gardening, a desire for creating homes that reflected their individual natures, and, most especially, a sense of hospitality and love for welcoming of friends old and new into their homes. She was active in local service organizations, particularly the Jaycee-etts, and worked tirelessly for Gulf Coast Medical Center’s Hearts of Gold Charity Ball for several years. Patsy was lovingly supportive of Dee’s business ventures, always ready to host a last-minute meeting on the back patio, add a plate or two to the dinner table, or put together a barbeque at the family farm in Hungerford, The Peach Tree Ponderosa. Another expression of her vibrant personality was her love of clothes – her granddaughter, Haley, called Patsy the fashionista of the family. Patsy and Dee enjoyed spending time at their second home in New Braunfels hosting friends and family on a regular basis. They eventually moved there fulltime and poured themselves into support of New Braunfels and San Antonio charities, and cultivating new friendships. For the most part, Patsy lived a charmed life – loving parents who lived long, healthy lives; three children who have found love and joy in life; a partner for life in Dee, with whom she traveled extensively, served faithfully, entertained lavishly and danced joyfully for almost sixty years; and a God who undergirded her throughout life and now welcomes her home. Those Patsy most cherished include: husband Dee of New Braunfels; daughter Melissa and husband, Richard Burnham, of Missouri City TX; daughter Shelley and husband, Jim Williams, of Concord NC; daughter Kimberly and husband, Tom Shirley, of New Braunfels TX. Grandchildren are Hunter Wingfield (The Woodlands TX), Austin Wingfield and wife, Shelby, and son, Wyatt Russell (Missouri City TX), Haley Williams McGahey and husband, James (Charlotte, NC), Chad Williams (Salt Lake City, UT), Jameson Williams (Salt Lake City, UT), Sophia Shirley (New Braunfels) and Colton Shirley (New Braunfels). Also those who have been her adopted family over the past few years are their caregivers: Melanie Alcock Brown,Nela Castilleja, Katelyne Castillo, Lindsey Garza, Briana Green, Kathy Johnson, Dori Villarreal, Priscilla Villarreal, Rosa Villarreal, and Elaine Zamarron. Patsy’s heart may no longer be beating in her chest, but her heart continues to beat in all of us. A remembrance and celebration of life will be held at First United Methodist Church New Braunfels on Wednesday, January 25 at 11AM. A private burial will take place at Wharton City Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 11AM on Saturday, January 28, at First United Methodist Church Wharton, followed by lunch and a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Hope Hospice in New Braunfels or First United Methodist Church in Wharton.