Patty earned her teaching degree from Southwest Texas in San Marcos and went on to touch countless young lives through her work as an elementary school teacher. Her career began at Schertz and Pascal Elementary Schools in Texas and later continued at Wilcox Elementary in Pocatello, Idaho. After 30 years of service in the classroom, she retired and relocated to Bandera, Texas in 2020.

Throughout her life, Patty was known for being caring, adventurous, enthusiastic, reliable, creative, and thoughtful qualities that shone through both professionally and personally. She found joy intending to her vegetable garden and watching the many hummingbirds that visited her yard. One of her greatest pleasures was spending time with her grandchildren.

Patty is lovingly remembered by her husband Larry Payne; children Troy and Kim Moore, Shannon and Josh Murcray; grandchildren Asher and Adley, Stephen and Sola Moore and sisters Linda Nelson, Sandy Graham, and Susie Barns.

She was preceded in death by her parents John (Nancy) Wiley and Peggy (Ira) West.

A memorial service was held to honor Patty’s life on August 1 in Bandera, following her passing in Boerne, Texas.

May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her.