Patty Fay Winters, age 87, passed away in Plainview, Texas on May 14, 2015 surrounded by her family. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church Chapel in Plainview at 2:00 PM Monday, May 18. Graveside services will be at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, May 19 at the Peace Chapel at Trinity Memorial Park in Big Spring. Patty Winters was born on December 6, 1927 in Eula, Texas to Edmund Jacob Carpenter and Hilda Favor Carpenter. She attended schools in Vincent and Big Spring, graduating from Coahoma High School in 1945 as salutatorian and outstanding student of the senior class. Patty attended Texas Tech for one year before marrying Willis R. Winters on June 30, 1946. The couple farmed in the Vincent community until 1951, and then moved to Reeves County. Over the years, Patty and Willis made several more moves; from various locations in Reeves County to Alpine, Plainview, Quitaque, Kress, and finally ended up in Plainview. Patty had numerous occupations over the years: homemaker, gin scale clerk, bookkeeper, Tax Assessor-Collector and Business Manager, owner and editor of a local newspaper, staff accountant, secretary, owner and operator of an H & R Block, and manager of a bed and breakfast. She was very active in church and community wherever she lived. She taught Sunday school classes in Balmorhea and Plainview, and served on various committees of the First Baptist Church. She served as president of the PTA, the WMU, and the Cotton Valley Home Demonstration Club, and served as a precinct chairman and 4-H leader. In 1973, she returned to college at Sul Ross State University and graduated in 1973 with a BBA degree. In 1978, she added an additional degree from Texas Tech University. Patty's life was one of service. She was a a charter member of the Exodus Prison Ministry, serving as a volunteer at the Wheeler and Formby units in Plainview, and the unit in Tulia. She served as director of the Faith In Sharing House, was a volunteer for Meals On Wheels, served as a board member of the Silver Star Room of the Hi-Plains, was a member of the American Association of University Women and the Gideon International Auxiliary division. In 2008, she was named Plainview Chamber of Commerce's Woman of the Year. When Patty was not busy serving others, she spent time pursuing her hobbies. She was an avid reader and belonged to several book clubs. She knitted, baked, studied her Bible regularly, gardened, cared for her cats, and treasured being with her grandchildren. Patty is survived by her daughter Patricia Stephens of Eden, three sons and spouses: Will Ed and Cynthia Winters of Spicewood, David and Debbie Winters of Plainview, Stephen and Deb Winters of Avondale, Arizona. She also has nine grandchildren and spouses: Angela and Stephen Southern of Temple, Luke and Jaime Winters of Amarillo, Josh and Jessica Stephens of San Angelo, Brittany and Clint Reichenau of Wall, Cade and Jessica Winters of Weatherford, Brett and Courtney Winters of Plano, Jared and Bryn Winters of Cache, Oklahoma, Kayla Winters of Seattle, Washington and Bennett Winters of Avondale, Arizona, step-grandsons, Jared Duchscherer of Lubbock, Jason Duchscherer of Chandler, Arizona and Justin Duchscherer of Queen Creek, Arizona. Also surviving are fourteen great-grandchildren, Aubrey Ky and Presley Ann Stephens of San Angelo; Gage and Ian Reichenau of Wall; Collin Southern of Temple; Mallory Winters of Amarillo; Riley, Ruby, and Claire Winters of Weatherford; Jameston, Blake, and Elise Winters of Plano; and Layne and Wyatt Winters of Cache, Oklahoma; sister, Elaine Carpenter of Austin; brother-in-law Alfred Cate of Granbury; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edmond J. and Hilda Carpenter; a brother Edward Carpenter and his wife, Claire; sister, Nan Cate; twin sister Betty Barr and her husband Buddy; and a son-in-law, John A. Stephens. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 205 W 8th St., Plainview, TX 79072 or Gideons International, PO Box 771, Plainview, TX 79072. Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Big Spring. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.,
