Patrice Cotham went to be with the Lord on November 17, 2016 after a long struggle with scleroderma. Born the sixth child of seven in San Francisco on Nov. 22, 1955, to Jack and Elaine Bruton, she was the beloved wife of W. Mark Cotham, Esq., loving mother of W. Mark Cotham, Jr. and Carolyn Cotham and mother-in-law to Catherine Morgan Garrison Cotham.

Patrice is survived by her siblings John Bruton, Jr., Mary Bruton, Marcella Jackson, Jeanne Anderson, Shirley Bruton, Karen Connell and her brother-in-law John Connell, her brother-in-law Edward Cotham and his wife Candace, along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Patrice grew up in San Francisco, graduating from Mercy High School and Mills College, with a degree in Spanish. Having an affinity for languages, she earned her Master's in Foreign Language Education at the University of Texas at Austin, where she met her husband, Mark. They were married on January 2, 1982 and remained happily married until her passing.

Patrice taught English as a Second Language to many refugees who escaped from conflicts in Southeast Asia. She also taught Spanish in the Houston public schools for a number of years, after which she became a full-time mom. She was devoted to her family above all.

Outside the home, Patrice was a faithful member of Chapelwood United Methodist Church for thirty years. She was also a member of and once “Woman of the Year” for the Women’s Club of Houston as well as a supporter and co-founder of Urban Harvest, Houston’s Community Garden and Orchard Program and Good Steward Global Initiative, Houston’s program to combat the book famine in developing countries.

Common themes to all Patrice did and stood for were respect, love, and helping all people. She loved the culture, art and history of people around the world.

Patrice and her family greatly appreciate all of the care she received from medical professionals and the love and support she received from her family and friends. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service is planned for Sunday, November 20, 2016, in the Chapel at Chapelwood Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay St, Houston, TX 77024, at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested anyone wishing to honor Patrice’s memory consider a donation in Patrice's name to Good Steward Global Initiative, 535 Portwall Street, Houston, TX 77029, to help deliver books to children in developing countries.

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