Patricia Gay Blalock

Love—it is one of the greatest, most beautiful gifts anyone could give or receive. For the person who embodies love, how much more is the beauty of her heart, her mind, and her actions? Patricia Gay Blalock loved with all of her heart and with all she possessed. Whether it be her time, her energy, her money, or her kind words, she showered love upon all who were blessed to meet her. She lived her life as person who loved all, and all loved her in return. On a chilly day, Saturday, January 2, 1960, a precious baby girl was born in El Paso, Texas to Thomas and Sunny Jean Hayes. Patricia Gay Hayes, known to her friends and family as Gay, possessed a gentle, loving heart from the beginning. She grew up graceful and gracious in the care of her grandparents, Cecil and Dorothy Garner, in Denton, Texas along with her sister, Beth. Together, Beth and Gay shared a room growing up, but also many stories, jokes, games, and laughs. Gay’s smile and her laughter could brighten up a room in a heartbeat, and drew the love of all. Gay attended high school at Denton High, where she drew the love of a particular gentleman, James Brian Blalock. They began dating in high school, and just like a flower, their love grew into something special and beautiful. After Gay graduated from Denton High School in 1978, she began studying at North Texas State University in Business Computer Information Systems. Throughout this time, Brian would visit Gay at her house any time he could, especially for Sunday dinners with her family. Each conversation and each smile deepened their hearts for each other into a devoted, steadfast love. About a year after she graduated from high school, on Friday, August 17, 1979, Patricia Gay Hayes happily became Patricia Gay Blalock as she married her best friend and her love. Together, Gay and Brian went through their blissful newly-wed years into rewarding parenthood. On Sunday, April 6, 1986, Gay and Brian welcomed their firstborn child and only daughter, Kacie Lauran Blalock. Joy filled Gay as the new role of “Mom” was placed upon her. A little over three years later, Gay and Brian were blessed again to welcome their second child and only son, James Kyle Blalock. As Mother Teresa says, “A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love,” and Gay’s heart was certainly joyful in her blessings and happiness. Throughout the children’s lives, Gay was always present and there to gently reprimand in every little argument and to kiss every little scrape. She attended almost every dance practice, sports game, and musical concert that involved Kacie and Kyle. If Brian had to work during one of these events, Gay always made sure to video record each step danced, each point scored, and each note played. Her care and attention knew no end. Around 1999, Brian and Gay moved their home from Denton, Texas to Pilot Point, Texas. Right away, Gay started making their new house into a lovely, comforting home for her family. She filled it with pictures of family, knick-knacks from many happy vacations, and ornate decorations that gave her house as much warmth and charm as she had herself. As Jane Sellman put it, “The phrase ‘working mother’ is redundant.” Gay worked for numerous companies like Moore Business Forms, EDS, and later for the TWU Library Systems. Some of these jobs paid very well for Gay’s skill and expertise with computers and software systems as well as her amazing organization. However, no paycheck or salary could even compete with the joy Gay received when she was with her husband, children, and family. She never let work define her, but instead put family first in everything. Her love knew no bounds for her husband, and her care for her children was unmatched. Each member of her family, even extended family members were loved and cherished in her heart. Gay knew every individual member of her family with a unique and encompassing intimacy, especially around their birthdays; she always knew the perfect gift! As Gay’s family increased with Kacie and Kyle finding their own soulmates, her heart grew to love and embrace her new daughters-in-law. From learning phrases in a different language to spending countless hours in discussions and conversations to truly know her daughters-in-law, she made her new family her family. In all reality, Gay made anyone she met feel like family from coworkers to visitors of Denton’s Farmers’ Market. She even played “Band Mom” for a high school band trip for Kyle and his friends on a ski trip to Colorado. The way Gay listened, talked, and ultimately cared for each individual person made he or she feel like they mattered to her, which they did. She always saw the good in people, despite their background or position in life, and even placed her trust in them. A favorite story is when Kacie and her spouse, Hadieh, took their mothers on a Mother’s Day vacation to California. Gay enjoyed going along the beach at Santa Monica with the sand running between her toes, but she also got a chance to go down Hollywood Boulevard. While making her way down Hollywood Blvd., seeing the famous, inlaid stars, a gentleman claiming to be Zorro asked Gay if she wanted a picture with him. This “Zorro” was a middle-aged, pot-bellied, anything-but-Antonio Banderas, random guy dressed in a black cape with a mask. Gay with her sweet, loving spirit, agreed to take the picture next to him, even though he requested a “tip” later. She didn’t mind; she had another opportunity to share something special with “her girls.” Gay carried a heart full of love, and she did not hesitate with strangers or family alike to share that love. Although her family was her true love and passion, Gay still had some interests and joys that made her unique and special. Gay enjoyed watching different TV shows like the Mary Tyler Moore Show, Downton Abbey, Frasier, and the Golden Girls while drinking a refreshing glass of ice tea. Occasionally one of her sweet cats might have hopped on her lap and joined her. During the mornings, she fixed herself buttered toast and a cup of hot coffee which she savored. When she stepped out of her house, she noticed everything from the birds in the trees to the structural beauty of buildings. Gay’s fascination with life made it where every day was not taken for granted. Every rose was smelled and every butterfly was chased throughout her beautiful, golden life. Flowers were a passion for Gay, especially tulips and gardenias. Kyle gave her new flowers every year for Mother’s Day for many years, and each one flourished under her care. She planted flower gardens around her home to provide a beautiful oasis for her family to enjoy. Gay would even give others potted flowers and hanging baskets so they could decorate their own homes as well. She loved anything that had a pleasant aroma from fragrant flowers to fresh laundry. Gay endeavored to keep a clean, well-organized home for her family that often smelled of fresh vegetables, delicious food, and clean summer air. Even when she was requested to stay in bed for a time, she still managed to get up to sweep the floors and wipe the counters before the maid came to clean. After spending some time cleaning, Gay let herself be pampered by taking warm, long bathes and using a plethora of lotions, soaps, and spa products. She loved her family and took care of them very well, but she still remembered to take care of herself as well. Gay always held a protective and loving concern for all of her loved ones. The same vigilant care never faltered even when she began to get sick on July 2, 2014 at the age of 54. After some tests and screens, it was revealed Gay had a tumor about 2 centimeters in her bile duct. What would not be a problem in most other parts of the body, was the beginning of a struggle that would last for three years. However, Patricia Gay Blalock did not let the tumor or her illness get her down. Instead, with grace and dignity, rallied others around her to lift their spirits. She began her fight with cancer, making each day count. When it was revealed she was going to become “Nana” to her first grandchild, she fought all the harder. With her diligence, she took care of and played with her three grandchildren: Charlotte Rae Blalock, James Beau Blalock, and Rami Blalock-Maatouk. She loved holding her grandchildren, speaking softly their names and kind words over them. Nothing gave her more happiness than seeing her grandchildren while she was ill; they gave her another reason to fight in her arsenal of hope and determination. Gay relished the time she talked with Brian, the moments she saw Kyle, Kacie, and their families, and the chances she got to wander outside to see the world. For a woman who was known to be gentle and soft spoken, Gay fought with the cancer that attempted to spread in her body with a bold determination. After visiting doctors and various hospitals, Gay and Brian took a leap of faith and made their way to the Mayo Clinic near Rochester, Minnesota where they stayed with The Gift of Life Transplant House. There, Gay underwent an operation to remove the cancer that was infiltrating her liver and connective tissue. After the operation, she came back free of cancer. Gay and her family rejoiced for the miracle, along with the many, many friends who prayed for her healing. Months went by as Gay enjoyed the company of her family and making the most of each day. However, as Robert Frost states, “Nothing gold can stay.” When it was confirmed that the cancer had returned, everyone’s heart sank except for Gay’s golden, loving heart. She again was determined to fight as long as she could even with the knowledge that surgery or transplant was no longer an option. Chemo therapy and more doctor visits commenced, and, although it took a toll on her body, Gay never faltered in her love or concern for her family. Her servant’s heart still persevered. When she would be visited by her children and grandchildren, she never gave any thought for herself; she always asked, “How are you all doing?” Her loving heart and her gentle spirit gave support and comfort for those who she loved, even during the times she hurt the most. Gay continued her fight with cancer until her body couldn’t take the Chemo therapy any longer. With her ever-present grace, pride, and dignity, she went into hospice care where she was visited often by her family and friends; Brian diligently supported and cared for his loving wife. On Saturday July 1, 2017, Gay decided to move back to her home where she built memories with Brian, Kacie, Kyle, and her loved ones. After 6 days of devoted love and care provided by her family within her own home, Patricia Gay Blalock peacefully passed away into a new life of comfort and love, where the pain cancer caused her could no longer be felt. Gay was surrounded by her devoted husband of almost 38 years, her two loving children, and her adoring daughters-in-law. “‘Tis sweet to know there is an eye that will mark our coming, and look brighter when we come.” How sweet will it be to see Gay’s warm, caring eyes brightly looking upon her family’s return when they are reunited in heaven? As sweet and precious as her love, her heart, and her life when she blessed us here on earth. Mrs. Patricia Gay Blalock is lived on through her loving, devoted husband of 37 years, James Brian Blalock; her beloved children, Kacie Blalock and her spouse Hadieh Maatouk, and James Kyle Blalock and his spouse Lori Blalock; her precious grandchildren, Rami Blalock-Maatouk, Charlotte Rae Blalock, and James Beau Blalock; her sister, Beth Randall and her spouse Jamie Randall; and her numerous family members, friends, and loved ones. Patricia Gay Blalock is preceded in death by her grandparents, Cecil and Dorothy Garner. In honor of Gay and her 57 wonderful years she blessed us with, services will be held for family, friends, and members of the community. A visitation will be held at Denton Funeral Home on Monday, July 10, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The funeral service for Mrs. Patricia Gay Blalock will be held on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at New Hope Baptist Church in Aubrey, Texas at 2:00 PM. Gay will be laid to rest in Sanger Cemetery near her grandparents. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages that donations be made to The Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, Minnesota. The family of Mrs. Patricia Gay Blalock wish to thank everyone who gave their love and support to Gay just as she gave love and support to all. Gay Blalock— “the most kind, most loving person you will ever know,” “genuine and loving,” “a great mother who was fantastic with the kids and everything you wanted a wife to be.” Gay is loved and will be cherished in the hearts of her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her family, and her friends forevermore until we see her again. “For you see, each day I love you more, today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.” —Rosemonde Gerard.

Patricia Gay Blalock

January 2, 1960 - July 6, 2017