Pat Avery

Joan Patricia “Pat” (Homeyer) Avery, 85, of McKinney, Texas peacefully passed away November 26, 2017. Pat was born December 28, 1931, in Austin, Texas to Frank Erich and Jessie Pearl Homeyer.

Pat grew up on a cattle farm just outside the city limits of Austin, where she was active in 4H. She raised and showed Hereford cattle - winning several county, area, and state shows with her prized heifer and bull. She attended the University of Texas for two years, majoring in Elementary Education. It was there that she met and married her husband of 56 years, David Earl Avery. She left the university to prepare for the birth of her first son, Mark, while working as a secretary and bookkeeper to support her husband who was in Pharmacy School. The couple later moved to Dallas, where David attended Baylor Dental School. In 1959, they moved to McKinney, Texas where David set up his dental practice. Pat worked for a time as his dental assistant, and later kept the books for the dental practice. In 1963, Pat and David purchased a farm which they developed into an award-winning horse breeding operation. Pat also got her own horse, “Queenie”, whom she trained on her own to barrel race. She loved to barrel race and won many awards against several of the best competitors on the rodeo circuit.

Pat will long be remembered for her loving kindness, friendly manner and sweet smile. She lived an unconventional life for a woman of her generation, with strong character and a gentle spirit.

She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Jessie Homeyer, Daughter Cheryl Ann who died shortly after birth (1955), Son Mark (2000) and Husband David (2008). She is survived by Sister-in-Law Ginny Avery of Port Arthur, Texas; Daughter-in-Law Jane Avery of Fair Grove, Missouri; Son Stephen Avery and wife Betty of Houston, Texas; Daughter Karen Henderson and husband Jim of Plano, Texas; Son Tim Avery and wife Tracy of McKinney, Texas. She is also survived by ten grandchildren: Cami, Nick, David, Clayton, Cheryl, Stephanie, Erica, George, Elliott, Emerson; and seven great grandchildren: Robert, Devin, Kaylee, Kinsey, Samuel, Charlize, Shaylor.

Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at First United Methodist Church, 315 N. Church Street, McKinney, Texas, with a Celebration of Life Ceremony to follow at 10:00 a.m.

Arrangements are by Charles W. Smith and Sons in McKinney, Texas. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be donated to Dog Ranch Rescue in Anna, Texas, or First United Methodist Church in McKinney, Texas.