Patsy Myrle Gregg Doyle

Patsy Myrle (Gregg) Doyle was born April 6, 1934 in De Leon, Comanche County, Texas. She was the youngest of five children born to Otis and Lilly Gregg. Patsy passed from this life at her family home on January 6, 2024 at the age of 89 years and 9 months. She was raised in De Leon until she and her mother moved to the New Salem Community in 1950 where Lilly ran a café on Old Hwy 80.

It was there, while working in the café, that she met the love of her life, Arley Doyle. After Arley left the café that fateful night, Patsy told her mother that he was the most handsome man that she had ever seen and that she intended to marry him. And marry him she did. On Sunday afternoon, June 24, 1950, after church they eloped to Strawn and were married by the Baptist preacher at his home. Patsy was the ripe old age of 16 and Arley had just turned 37 the day before.

They made their home in the community of Natty Flat where Arley was a farmer. Patsy and Arley were happily married for 45 years until Arley’s passing in 1995. Patsy soon became a wonderful wife and homemaker and enjoyed life in her new community. In the early 50’s they became members of Live Oak Baptist Church where they remained members for the rest of their lives. Patsy became a mother on November 17, 1960 when their only child, Gregg was born.

In 1969, Patsy went to work for the Santo ISD as a teacher’s aide. Over the years she served the school district in several different capacities but became known best as the “lunch lady” or the “librarian”. She absolutely loved the fact that she got to work alongside of and have lunch with her very best friend, Syble Sparks, every day. She was once asked by a young student as he passed through the lunch line if she owned this ole school, to which she replied “yes, I do and Syble runs it!” She retired in 1999 after 30 years of service.

Patsy was very active throughout her life and enjoyed doing many things. She taught herself to sew and became a wonderful seamstress. She loved to paint in oils and did so until her eyesight would no longer permit her to. One of her greatest joys was when her siblings and in-laws would all get together at one of their houses and play 42 all weekend long. In later years, she started attending senior citizen dances all over the country with her other best friend, Babe Gilbert. They went far and wide to those dances and had countless good times and made many wonderful friends.

What she enjoyed most was gardening and working in her yard. She took great pride in having a beautiful yard and spent countless hours digging, planting, watering, and mowing. But what she was best at was being a wife, a mother, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother, a cousin, a neighbor, and a friend.

At her passing Patsy was the matriarch of her family and her community. She lived on what is now Live Oak Road for almost 74 years. She was truly a part of the greatest generation. Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Arley and all of her siblings and in-laws. She is survived by her son, Gregg and his wife Julie; 5 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews, who she would want to know, that she loved them dearly. And a host of friends and neighbors who will miss her terribly.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m.  Wednesday at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home. Funeral services are 10 a.m., Thursday, January 11, 2024 at the Palo Pinto County Cowboy Church. Interment will follow at Bosley Cemetery.