Patricia Ann Blackwell Hedgcoxe, 75, of Cuero, Texas died at home on Friday, May 4, 2012. Born on March 14, 1937 in Cuero to Reiffert Forbes and Dorothy Breeden Blackwell, she was preceded in death by her husband, Pat Garner Hedgcoxe, and by her parents. She is survived by her son, H. Reiffert Hedgcoxe and daughter-in-law, Anne McCauley Hedgcoxe, of Houston, Texas; her daughter, Lou Hedgcoxe Houser and son-in-law, Mark Houser, also of Houston, Texas; her six grandchildren, Clair Hedgcoxe, Will Hedgcoxe, Dixie Houser, Sarah Houser, Ellie Houser and Amy Houser of Houston, Texas and Denver, Colorado. She is also survived by her sister, Dorothy (Dee) Blackwell Sager and her family, and William (Bill) Blackwell and his family, both of Cuero.

Patricia attended Cuero schools, graduating in 1955. She then attended the University of Texas in Austin. In 1956, she was Sultana of the 11th Cuero Turkey Trot. At Texas, Patricia was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity for women. While there, she met Pat G. They were married on April 11, 1959 at Grace Episcopal Church in Cuero, Texas.

Pat G. served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Air Force in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Patricia gave birth to Reif there in 1960. Upon returning to Austin and the University of Texas, Pat G. completed his PhD in Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering and Patricia completed her B.S. degree in Education. Their daughter, Lou, was born in Austin in 1963 about the time that Pat G. finished his degree.

Patricia had a deep love of her heritage and community as is evidenced by the many organizations in which she invested her time. Patricia was a member of the Guadalupe Victoria Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daniel Braman Chapter Daughters of the American Colonists, and John Brewer Chapter Colonial Dames of the 17th Century. Genealogy was a hobby Pat enjoyed and she documented her lineage for First Families of Texas. After returning to Cuero in 1999, Patricia was a Board member of the Cuero Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture for 4 years. She was a co-sponsor of the Cuero Visionaries in Preservation, a program of the Texas Historical Commission. She was also a member of the DeWitt County Historical Commission and served as its Chairman in 2011-2012.

She was a volunteer member of the Texas Settlement Region (promoting tourism in area counties) for 10 years and was an appointee to the city of Cuero Planning and Zoning Commission. She was a Board member of the Cuero Heritage Museum and served as an Election Judge in several county and national elections.

Patricia was a lifelong member of Grace Episcopal Church, Cuero. She served as a vestry member for several years and did volunteer clerical work. She served on the Grace Church Altar Guild, with The Women of Grace Church, and helped to organize the Church's annual 4th of July Celebration.

Patricia was an incredible wife, mother and grandmother and was loved dearly by her family and many friends. Patricia was fiercely and selflessly devoted to the ones she loved. She was well known for her sweet and caring nature; she always had a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eyes no matter the circumstances.

The family would like to express its deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jennifer Gonzales and all the nurses at Cuero Community Hospital, Dr. John Kavanagh, Dr. Anuja Jhingran and Dr. Pedro Ramirez and numerous other doctors and many nurses at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center of Houston, Dr. Kevin Wheeler and the nurses at Memorial City Memorial Hermann Hospital of Houston, Dr. Ahmad Qadri and the nurses at Oncology and Hematology of Victoria, as well as Becky Lira, Linda Lopez, John Monahan, Louise Treude, Herminia Ellis, Carol Mathis and the staff at Comfort Keepers and Hospice of South Texas.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 8, 2012 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 10:30 a.m., at Grace Episcopal Church with Pastor Eric Fenton officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to Grace Episcopal Church or to DeWitt County Archives.

Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.