Palestine High School Alumni Association

06 / 22 / 1954  –  10 / 30 / 2010

A memorial service celebrating the life of Patti Crook Parris of Dallas will be held Saturday, November 6th, 10:00 A.M., at the Highland Park Methodist Church, Cox Chapel. Mark Grace, Director of Chaplaincy service Baylor Healthcare system will be officiating.

Surrounded by her family, Patti passed away at home on October 30th, 2010. Patti had fought a courageous battle against cancer with support from her family and many friends since being diagnosed in May 2009. Born on June 22, 1954 in Palestine, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. James G. Crook, Patti left a legacy of generosity and kindness.

Patti is survived by her sister, Jimmie Lou Debakey of Washington DC. and brother Bill Crook and of Houston Texas, a niece, Elizabeth Crook of Houston and three nephews, John Debakey of Houston, Robert Debakey of Los Angeles, California, and Alex Crook of Houston.

Patti attended The American University in Switzerland and Graduated from Southern Methodist University where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Patti also received a Masters Degree in Education from North Texas University. She taught third grade at Forest Ridge Elementary School in Richardson from 1978 to 1985. Patti married in 1983 to Mark Timothy Parris. Together they lived in Washington DC while Tim served as a White House Fellow, then Memphis, Tennessee, and spent the last 20 years in Dallas.

They have two children both born in Memphis. Lee Colston Parris was born in 1986 and in 2008 graduated from Oklahoma State University. Daughter Katherine Jennings Parris was born in 1989 and attends Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Co.

Tim and Patti attended both Highland Park Methodist Church and Park Cities Baptist Church. Throughout Patti’s life she was a volunteer in the arts, church, and teacher to children. She traveled extensively and always brought a smile to everyone she came in contact with.

Patti will rest in peace at the family’s cemetery at Standing Rock Ranch near Atoka, Oklahoma where Patti and the family have enjoyed God’s greatest creations. The family extends their thanks and gratitude to the physicians, nurses and staff at Baylor University Medical Center for the exceptional care Patti received.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Baylor Health Care System Foundation, 3600 Gaston Ave., Ste.100, Dallas, TX 75246. Fund 52126. The Karen Fink MD Neuro-Oncology Fund.