Tributes

Eulallie Patricia Pittman Light-Patsy to all who knew and loved her-was a force of nature, a kaleidoscope of curiosity, creativity, and unstoppable determination. Born on December 3, 1931, to Walter Preston Pittman and Eulallie Caruthers Wright Pittman in Corpus Christi, Texas, this 5th generation Texan left an indelible mark as an artist, author, activist, educator, photographer, rancher, historian, devoted wife, mother, grand, AND GREAT-grandmother. With her boundless energy, big loud laugh, and sincere passion for people and the world around her, Patsy painted a life as vibrant and expansive as the Texas sky. Descended from Great-Great Grandparents who came to Texas to round up wild cattle from the disbanded missions, a Great-grandfather rancher who went up the cattle trail five times, and a maternal great-grandfather who was a surgeon during the Texas Revolution. A Depression-era baby, Patsy grew up as an only child, developing an independent spirit, a welcoming nature, and an insatiable curiosity to fuel a lifetime of adventures. The sparkling waters of the Gulf Coast, where she spent summers sailing with friends, swimming, and collecting shells on the beaches of "the island" (Port Aransas) shaped her teenage years. On one of those sun-drenched trips at age 15, she first met two red-headed cowboy brothers vacationing from the Light Ranch. The younger one, Walter Scott "Scotty" Light, caught her eye-and her heart. At Southern Methodist University, Patsy seized university life by storm. As a Pi Beta Phi sister, she not only modeled at Neiman Marcus but also served as house manager for the sorority. With her signature blend of grace & determination, Patsy was a member of Mortar Board, President of both Methodist Students and Women Students, student council representative, and synchronized swimmer. Her radiant spirit earned her a place in The Rotunda yearbook as Favorite and Beauty. She was invited to represent Corpus Christi as the out-of-town Duchess of "Spring Rain" in the 1953 Order of the Alamo Fiesta Coronation ""Court of Make Believe"" in San Antonio. Her dress and train were a shimmering cascade of green fabric leaves and sparkling sequin raindrops. It was during these college years that Patsy's bond with the red-headed young man evolved from sandy swimsuits to black ties and ball gowns. When Patsy approached her conservative banker father with dreams of a grand European tour after graduation, his reply of ""After 4 years of SMU and a Neiman Marcus charge account - NO! "" only fueled her determination. Undaunted, she masterminded a group trip, selling it to 15 others-including Scotty, who would soon become her fiancé. In 1953, with this entourage the newlyweds set sail from New York Harbor on Cunard's "Coronia" for a two-and-a-half-month honeymoon adventure across 12 countries, embarking on a marriage that would be filled with art, travel, laughter, and an ever-growing circle of friends. Patsy and Scotty were a dynamic duo. The early years of their marriage were a whirlwind as Scotty served in the US Air Force, taking the couple from Hondo to San Angelo to Del Rio. Patsy nested in what she affectionately called "cardboard houses," welcomed firstborn Walter Scott Jr., and later settled at the Light Ranch and in Cotulla, forging lifelong South Texas friendships over venison, quail, pralines, and oatmeal cookies made from a Texas Ranger's wife's cherished recipe. In 1958 they put down roots in San Antonio, building a Bauhaus-style glass home that would become a sanctuary of creativity, warmth, and laughter as they welcomed daughters Laurie Eulallie and Myssie Forrest. Patsy transformed the house into an art studio haven and gathering place for friends. The aroma of beeswax from her latest batiks or the scent of baked goods in the oven wafted through the home. With inexhaustible energy, Patsy poured her heart into community service, dedicating decades to organizations that reflected her passions. She volunteered with the San Antonio Symphony's children's classroom program, served on the Symphony League Board, and was a member of the San Antonio Conservation Society, Pan American Round Table, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Junior League, and board member of Planned Parenthood. As an appointee of President George H.W. Bush, she chaired the San Antonio Missions National Park Advisory Commission and later helped found Los Compadres. Patsy & Scotty were active in Republican politics, serving as co-chairs for George H.W. Bush's 1964 US Senate campaign and supporting him throughout his political career-a friendship that included White House visits and inaugural celebrations. Patsy's legendary persistence and persuasive charm served her well as she ran the district fundraising office for US House Representative Lamar Smith in the 1980s, applying her "pushy" skills to raise funds for his campaigns. Patsy's love for art and education knew no bounds. She produced and starred in her children's art television series for KLRN that aired in elementary classrooms for five years and worked with Learning About Learning and the children's art project at HemisFair 1968. Her teaching journey took her from Northeast ISD to the Southwest Craft Center, where she conducted workshops and taught THE first classes which were held in La Villita. She lectured at St. Phillips College, volunteered at Sunshine Cottage School for the Deaf, and served as a Cub Scout Den Mother, a title she wielded with pride for decades. Patsy earned a master's degree in art from Goddard College while her children were in high school. As an artist, Patsy fearlessly explored every medium, from watercolor and acrylics to ceramics, batik, photography, copper enameling, silversmithing, silk screen, printmaking, and experimenting with natural dyes and fibers Sharing all with the Light children and their friends. Her home studio boasted two kilns and a darkroom. She approached parenting with the same passion, nurturing her children's diverse interests in science, culinary arts, and fine arts with unwavering support. Family life was a montage of adventures lots of time at the beach and family ranches. She adapted to a series of eclectic ranch homes, including a restored Pullman railway car to a caboose-turned-guest-quarters. Patsy's passion for history ran as deep as her Texas roots, fueling her work as an author, researcher, and tireless preservation activist. Recognized with commendation by the community of Goliad for documentation of the city and county's history. Honored by the San Antonio Conservation Society as a ""Texas Hero of Preservation"" for her persistent efforts to preserve the history of Texas. Bringing the past to life in her writings and as a professional tour guide in Goliad and San Antonio brought her great joy. She penned more than 18 National Register of Historic Places nominations, 11 Texas Historical Commission markers, and three books: "Capturing Nature," "The Artisans of Trabajo Rustico," and "Heroine of the Texas Revolution: Francisca Alavez The Angel of Goliad". A Voracious Reader and relentless researcher she was driven by what she loved to call (in a really loud voice) ""THE THRILL OF THE CHASE!"". When Patsy chose to champion a cause, her determination was unstoppable. Those who were opposed to her activism quickly learned to watch out. She successfully fought off a towering power line set to cross her beloved ranch and galvanized a grassroots army to save 17,000 acres from intentional flooding when the San Antonio River Authority proposed a reservoir that included her ranch. Armed with petitions, she rallied hundreds-farmers, ranchers, pipeline operators, geologists, architects, archaeologists, and nuns from a ranch located within the proposed boundaries to help create the Historic San Antonio River Valley District. She marched against the proposed U.S. Highway 281 through the Olmos Basin in San Antonio and years later marveled at the irony of driving it daily. The most recent fight was her support for the preservation and maintenance of the historic Argyle and its setting, for it to remain as is. Every pursuit of Patsy's life was steeped in curiosity and joy. She enthusiastically shared her wonder and knowledge of nature with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Identifying seashells, plants, birds, and butterflies, especially Monarchs. Expeditions to see ancient rock art, whooping cranes, and Big Bend were all highlights. Recipient of Honors and awards from The Conservation Society of San Antonio, Professional Tour Guide Association, Texas Society AIA, TCARA, Texas State Historical Association, Los Bexareños Genealogical Society, Friends of the San Antonio Public Library, and numerous others too many too list. A special outing for Patsy was flying over South Texas brush country with Scotty piloting his bright yellow L-19 for a birthday flight, the lake and thousands of birds below evoked memories of scenes from "Out of Africa." She had not only an exuberance for life but also a lucky streak. Patsy won an all-expenses-paid trip to Hong Kong, which was a memorable mother-daughter trip with her two girls. She also had the winning raffle ticket for a herd of 50 cattle to benefit the Presidio La Bahia in Goliad Texas Memberships include The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Club Giraud, and a 60-year member of The Argyle. Patsy's legacy lives on through her beloved husband Scotty, children Walter (Cate), Laurie Saunders (Bill), and Myssie Acomb (Barry), grandsons William (Claire) and Forrest (Andrea), Shana, and cherished great-grandchildren Dos, James, Thomas, Kylee, Maycee, and Everlee. Her irrepressible spirit is woven into the histories she preserved, the art she created, and the countless lives she touched with her passion, humor, and boundless heart. The family would like to thank the following for their compassionate care in assisting Patsy to continue to enjoy living the fullest life possible: Lauren, Adriana, David, Gracie, Hilda, Hortencia, Maria, Oscar, Pammy, Raquel, Sara, Socorro, and Tina. All of whom took unexpected field trips at Patsy's whim getting impromptu tours that led to lessons of San Antonio, its history, and Architecture. Suggested donations may be made to organizations that were dear to Patsy for their enduring commitment to nourishing minds, spirits, and communities. Brackenridge Park Conservancy P.O. Box 6311 San Antonio, TX 78209 San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation 1146 South Alamo San Antonio, TX 78210 Friends of the San Antonio Library P.O. Box 461523 San Antonio, TX 78246 Planned Parenthood South Texas 2140 Babcock Road, Suite 201 San Antonio, TX 78229-4439 Patsy Light was a force to be reckoned with and definitely a hard act to follow! Services will be held on Tuesday, December 10th at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 315 E Pecan St, San Antonio, TX 78205 at 10:00 am.

Tributes

Eulallie Patricia "Patsy" Pittman Light

December 3, 1931 - November 30, 2024