Ada Patton

Early Thursday morning, Ada Patton, of Waco, died at home following a brief illness. She will be best remembered for her strong faith, love of family and engaging wit. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 11:00 a.m., Monday, September 20, 2010 with the Rev. Brad St. Romain and the Rev. Chuck Treadwell officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 19, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Ada Risher Stone was born to Thomas Ford Stone and Frances Dinwiddie Sleeper Stone in Houston on December 23, 1929. After a few years, she and her mother moved to Waco, where her grandparents, "Judge" William Markham and Laura Risher Sleeper, and many other relatives lived.

Ada quickly developed a close relationship with cousins Martha Margaret "Patty" Sleeper and Jane, Walter, Laura "Mickey" and Frances "Poosie" Dossett. When not attending Sanger Avenue Elementary, the girls might be found penning humorous poetry or writing, directing and starring in stage productions with an eye to the Kiddie Matinee at the Waco Theater on Saturday mornings.

Ada, always well-liked by her peers, served as President of the Senior Class at Waco High. Around the time most teens were heading for college, Ada was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Meeting the challenge with her usual spunk, she moved to Colorado Springs, a center for the treatment of TB.

Returning to Texas, Ada began a courtship with James Russell Patton, Jr. She and Jimmy married October 12, 1955, after he completed his medical internship. The Pattons lived in Germany, while Jimmy practiced medicine with the US Air Force. They moved to St. Louis, where Jimmy pursued a residency in Ophthalmology at Washington University-Barnes Hospital. During that time, they celebrated the births of Laura Risher Patton and James Russell Patton III.

The Pattons settled in Waco, and Ada threw herself into local concerns. She was active at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, serving in St. Paul's Guild, St. Margaret's Guild and the Episcopal Church Women, which she headed. Ada also joined the Junior League and Medical Auxiliary. She served as president of the following boards and organizations: Caritas; Crippled Children's Hospital; Evangelia Settlement; Oakwood Cemetery; and The Woman's Club. Ada was a founder of Vanguard School.

Known for her generosity, Ada enjoyed opening their home to friends and family. She and Jimmy loved to visit new places and explored much of the world before adventure travel became popular or convenient. The past few years were made especially bright for Ada with her children and grandchildren living in Waco.

Ada is survived by her husband, Jimmy Patton; and children, Laura Patton Hamburger and Russell Patton; son-in-law, Charles Lynn "Charlie" Hamburger; and her granddaughters, Laura Grace "Gracie" and Sara Risher Hamburger.

In lieu of floral arrangements, memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.