Patty Ann Huckleberrry

Patty Ann Randles Huckleberry was born November 27, 1940, in Goldthwaite, TX to Gladys Ona Griffith Randles and William Edward “Ed” Randles. She had one brother Travis E. Randles married to Willa “Cindy” Randles. Patty passed from this life peacefully at her home early Wednesday, March 14, 2018, with her husband Glen D. Huckleberry and faithful caregiver Krystal Eilers at her side.
Patty grew up on the Southside of Fort Worth six blocks from College Ave Baptist Church where her family attended church and where she was baptized. Patty graduated from Fort Worth Technical High School in 1958 having met and kept the same “best friend” since her freshman year, Sandy Grimland.
Patty was honored to be the Diesel Shop Queen her senior year, was on the annual staff, was President of the Skating Club and a member of the National Honor Society. Patty took dance (ballet, tap, ballroom, Spanish) as therapy for Polio, which she contracted as a child, and continued to dance throughout her life including teaching Ballroom dance for Norine Thrash and Odis Edleman studio. She even made an appearance on the famous Pat Boone show with her dance group! Patty and her brother Travis enjoyed going out dancing together – competing and winning on several occasions. In addition to dance, Patty enjoyed the music of all types, including making a record of “Indian Love Call” while taking voice lessons as a teen.
Patty, 14 yrs. old at the time, met Glen D. Huckleberry at the skating rink in Fort Worth. They married on April 18, 1959, and continued to be each other’s love and “Story of My Life” has spent over 60 years together. Unless physically separated, they greeted each other each and every morning with a kiss and sent each other to bed with a kiss and an “I love you”. Together they had two daughters, Michelle H. Cooper and Pamela H. Harper.
Even though Patty and Glen were never stationed overseas while Glen served in the Air Force, they were able to travel extensively after they retired. Some of their favorite places to visit included Banff Canada, Hawaii, Europe – especially the Germanic countries, and the Mediterranean. However, Patty’s favorite place (which they visited three times) was Bermuda. Her “dream trip” which was scheduled, but unfortunately never materialized, was a River Cruise from Amsterdam to the Black Sea.
Patty worked at several jobs during her lifetime with each employer valuing her hard work, problem-solving skills, organization, attention to details, and friendly inclusive demeanor. Having trained in vocational office skills and having received a special diploma, Patty began her work career at General Dynamics right out of high school. She also worked for the Air Force with a Top Security Clearance and steadfastly served in her role as a “military wife”. Later, after the girls were older and the family moved to Arlington, Patty worked for Vanguard Auto Air, for Mary Kay as a beauty consultant, and at the World Trade Center and Apparel Market where she made many lasting lifelong friends. She was extremely proud that the showroom owners closed their doors for Pam’s and Michelle’s wedding – speaking volumes of their appreciation for Patty both as a friend and employee.
Patty was a leader and member of multiple organizations including the Air Force Officer’s Wives Club, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, and the Arlington Women’s Club. She and Glen were members of the Swing Time Square Dance center and Ski Club and made many trips with Sunday school and dance couple friends. Patty was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Arlington and an active, faithful member of the Bible Explorer’s class which is comprised of a “family of friends”.
Patty was preceded in death by her parents, William E. and Gladys Randles and one brother Travis E. Randles, as well as her brother-in-law, Bob Huckleberry and his wife Diane Huckleberry, and sister-in-law, Dorothy Huckleberry Leck. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Glen D. Huckleberry of Arlington, daughters Michelle H. Cooper (husband Geoff Cooper) of Brownfield, TX, and Pamela H. Harper (husband Mitch Harper) of Franklin, TX, granddaughters Meredith Harper Speer (husband Rob Speer) and Madeline Harper Benavides (husband Lucas Benavides), and Cassidy Scott Cooper along with one great-granddaughter Maxine Speer. Also left to cherish her memory are sister-in-law Cindy Randles, and brother-in-law Duane Huckleberry and wife Bobbie; cousin Darlene Wallace, nieces Ranelle Randles, Ramona Randles Gaye and Diana Leck Vasquez; nephews Larry Huckleberry, Garry Huckleberry, and Bob Leck. She also leaves behind her lifelong friend and neighbor Frances Edwards who has been there through “thick and thin”, Sandy Cantrell from her days at Market, and Sandy Grimland high school buddy and lifetime family friend in addition to countless others who cannot be named but whose love is definitely felt.
Patty wants everyone to know “I had a happy life and enjoyed it immensely – especially military life, although we were never stationed overseas!” She loved fresh flowers and reading with her #1 love being her children and grandchildren . . . followed closely behind by her love of dancing and a glass of wine!
Finally, Patty wanted everyone to know:
“Don’t be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.” – Anonymous
“If you are prepared to die . . . then you are TRULY prepared to Live!” – Billy Graham
A memorial and Celebration of Life service is planned at First United Methodist Church of Arlington on Thursday, March 22, 2018, at 1:30 pm. Interment is TBD at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery in Grand Prairie.
The family wishes to thank the many friends and neighbors, longtime caregivers Karen Nichols and Krystal Eilers, as well as Community Hospice of Texas for their unwavering loyalty, love, and compassion during the past several years and recent months. The family requests that any memorials in Patty’s honor be made to Community Hospice of Texas, Habitat for Humanity, or The Salvation Army.