Patsy Alverson

Patsy Marie Jones Alverson died on June 4, 2015 in Little Rock, Arkansas surrounded by her family at the home of her son, Allen, and daughter-in-law, Becky. Her daughter, Mara Beverly Alverson, granddaughter, Heather Alverson, grandson, Ryan Alverson and his family (Jamie, Sadie, and William) and old friend and companion, Tommy Keys, were nearby and giving and receiving love up until the end. Her granddaughter, Lauren Lindstrom, was able to travel from California to be with her grandmother in the last month of her life also.

Patsy was born in Dallas, Texas on September 22, 1930. She moved with her parents and two brothers, Kenneth (deceased) and Emmett Jr., and sister Betty Lou (deceased) to Tulsa when she was in High School. There she met and married Ray Alverson (deceased) at about the same time that her mother and father, Emmett B. and Mary Jones bought their farm, Trail’s End, in Huntsville. Though she and Ray continued to live in Tulsa, they loved and visited the farm often and eventually moved to Huntsville in 1962.

Patsy was an artist of considerable talent, especially as a painter and sculptor. She was a great appreciator of beauty in all its forms and shared that love with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many friends. She created a home of beauty and sewed many of her and her daughter Mara’s clothes.

Patsy was a Girl Scout troop leader for 9 years and was the first Girl Scout leader in Huntsville. She helped to create and support the growth of many additional troops through the years. She was beloved of all who worked with her in Scouting and brought her sense of beauty, cooperation, and fun to all her Girl Scouting activities.

She was very active in the First Presbyterian Church of Huntsville for over 50 years, having served as Elder, Deacon, and Chairperson of the Christian Education Program. She also organized and taught Sunday School classes and Vacation Bible School classes. She “walked her talk” as a Christian, responding to everyone she met with love and acceptance.

Patsy was an adventurous woman. She returned to college life in her sixties and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She also took flying lessons around this time. Once she rode the family horse, Stretch, in a trail ride in order to make sure that he was safe enough for her granddaughter, Heather. She fell off on this ride, but was not deterred from loading him up in the horse trailer all by herself and transporting him to Little Rock to his new home.

Children were always a passion for Patsy. She liked nothing better than to play with and nurture them. It began when she became the unofficial “mother” of her little brother, Emmett Jr. and extended to her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and great grandnieces and nephews. Any and all other children with whom she came into contact also benefitted from this love and delight.

In her prime she met and married Jim Webster, a member of her church. They enjoyed each other’s companionship and travel adventures for 10 years until Jim died in 2013.

In 2014 she reconnected with her life-long friend, Tommy Keyes, and they enjoyed loving and caring for each other up until the end of her life. Patsy’s family will always appreciate the loyalty and kindness shown by him.

Our family is very grateful to Arkansas Hospice in Little Rock for their support.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Patsy’s name to the Girl Scouts of Madison County c/o the Girl Scout Diamond Council, 2080 Joyce Boulevard, Fayetteville, AR 72703 ((479)695-1818) or Arkansas Hospice at 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116 501-748-3333.

A Celebration of Patsy’s life will be held 2 p.m., June 13, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Arkansas. Cremation arrangements by Arkansas Cremation. www.arkansascremation.com

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