Patricia Brown Bell, 91, of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully on Nov. 24, 2020, at the Abbey Retirement Community. Memorial Services will be held at a later date.
Patricia was born on March 1, 1929 in Columbus, Ohio, to William B. Sharp and Barbara Georgiana Sharp. She attended New Concord High School in Ohio where she was a cheerleader, homecoming queen and played in the orchestra. She attended Muskingum College where she participated in choir, orchestra and was May Queen. Patricia graduated with a degree in elementary education and was a stewardess for a year with American Airlines. While at Muskingum she met Joseph Lewis Brown and they married after college in 1951.
She taught in numerous public schools in Texas, starting in Austin. She and Joe had three children: Steve, Barbara and Tim. Joe died in 1975 and after that Patricia attended Lamar University in Beaumont earning her masters degree in speech pathology. She continued to work in the public schools in Texas. She married Howard Bryant Bell in 1990 and they lived in Beaumont, Texas. Howard passed away in 2002. Patricia moved to Houston in 2009 and became a member of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church where she made many friends and participated in choir and several weekly activities. In 2015 Patricia moved to the Abbey Retirement Community and made several close friends, including Ed Yanoscik. Throughout her lifetime Patricia spent many summers at Chautauqua Institution and loved her time there with family and friends. Pat visited Chautauqua for 75 years and was thrilled to visit on her free pass in her 90th year, which was her last visit. She served on the Presbyterian House Board, achieved Parnassian status in Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, and what she enjoyed most about Chautauqua were Morning Devotions, the morning lecture, and taking Special Studies classes.
Her cheerful smile and gentle spirit will truly be missed by all whose lives she touched.
Patricia is survived by her children; Steven Brown and wife Cyndy of Granbury, Texas, Barbara Calhoun and husband John of Houston and Timothy Brown and wife Kathy of Spokane, Washington; Grandchildren John Calhoun, Kristen Calhoun, Jennifer Calhoun; stepdaughter-in-law Nancy Bell, stepgrandchildren Adam Bell and wife Danielle, Joel Bell and wife Miryam, and John Bell.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, 12955 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX, 77079; or the Presbyterian Association of Chautauqua, P.O. Box 459, Chautauqua, NY, 14722.
