After a life of love and quiet grace, Patsy Nell "Pat" Graham of Dallas, TX has passed.
These words are offered in her memory — small, but heartfelt.
Patsy held deeply to the Presbyterian faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
Those who live by belief leave a different kind of mark.
Patsy Nell Stambaugh Graham, age 91, passed away April 21, 2026, in Dallas, Texas. She was born in Celina, Texas, August 14, 1934, to DeWitt Alton Stambaugh and Ermyne Mae Carter. After the death of her parents, she was raised in McKinney, Texas by her maternal grandmother, Emily Ford Carter, and two aunts, Mamie Carter and Ilma Carter Stephens. Pat married her soulmate, Duane Lewis Graham, on December 22, 1963, in Irving, Texas.
She was a proud graduate of McKinney High School, Class of 1952. Her professional career included service at the VA Hospital in McKinney and Dallas, as well as positions with the Dallas Independent School District and Mesquite Independent School District. She later joined Southern Methodist University, where she worked until her retirement in 1996.
Pat is survived by her son, Bryan Alan Graham and his wife, Mindy, of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Karen Elizabeth Graham Dundon and her husband, Scott, of Carrollton, Texas; and granddaughter, April Seals and her partner, Jonno Garver, of Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by a sister, Polly Marie Raley, and niece, Jacquee Raley, of Wylie, Texas, along with numerous cousins to whom she was known as Aunt Pat. She was further blessed with a host of friends and neighbors. She would like to acknowledge her very dear friend, Tom Demopulos; caring next-door neighbor, Susie Reynolds; longtime physician and friend, Dr. James Chanez; and Otto the dog.
Pat was preceded in death by her beloved husband, parents, and infant brother, Little Jim.
Pat was a lifelong churchgoer and most recently a member of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas. She felt that her main purpose on this earth was to be a good wife and to raise two wonderful children. She was always very proud of her children and loved them and their families with all her heart. She hopes to be fondly remembered for her legendary banana pudding and strawberry punch, hosting large family Christmas Eve parties, handmade stuffed bears, and, of course, crocheted potholders. Some of her favorite words to live by were: "Bloom where you are planted" and "Love those whom God has put in your path."
A memorial service celebrating Pat's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen Texas 75013. Inurnment will take place at Dallas–Fort Worth National Cemetery at a later date. The funeral service will also be livestreamed at the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/patsy-nell-stambaugh-graham.
Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Patsy Nell Stambaugh Graham.
