Patricia Jo Stapp

Patricia Jo Luce Stapp, age 74, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Thursday, January 18, 2024, after a lengthy battle with heart disease. She was born in Grapeland, Texas on December 28, 1949, to George and Hazel (nee McQueen) Luce. She graduated from Grapeland High School in 1968. Not too long after high school, she moved to Houston and began a career spanning almost 40 years with the Yellow Cab company, wearing many hats from dispatch operator to roles in management. She met the love of her life, Lonnie "Red" Stapp while working there, and they were married February 15, 1977. They were young at heart lovebirds and are now lovingly reunited.

Patricia, known affectionately as "Trish", was a delightful, easygoing, no fuss kind of person who was just the absolute best to be around. The youngest of four girls, she was funny, witty, and never afraid to tell it like it was. She was always up for any adventure. Trish was a superstar in the kitchen, loved baking, and could make any recipe turn out utterly delicious.

An avid reader, she loved to read crime fiction novels, and her favorite characters were Jack Reacher and Bob Lee. She was a go to resource for random knowledge, and she gave the best advice about the hardships of adulting. She adored the color teal and wanted everything to be as such.

A die-hard fan, she faithfully watched the Astros, Rockets, and Texans, and she would yell at the referees and umpires as if they could really hear her, challenging calls she didn't agree with. An armchair contestant, she never missed an episode of Jeopardy! or Wheel of Fortune and was almost always able to give the correct answer well before the actual game show contestants. Although she had no children, she was admiringly adored by her nieces and nephew, and she was always considered to be the "fun aunt".

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Brenda Luce Mooney, and sister Nancy Luce Lawrence.

Trish is survived by her sister Jean Minter and husband Julian, nieces Gina Minter Ballow, Stacy Minter Brown, and Amy Lawrence, nephew Christoper Mooney, and a host of great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services to celebrate Patricia Stapp's life are to be conducted at half-past two o'clock in the afternoon, on Saturday, the 27th day of January 2024, in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, 408 Chestnut St., Grapeland, Texas, with Bro. Jack Chelf officiating the service. Interment will follow in McCarter Cemetery.

Friends are invited to visit with the family beginning one hour prior to the start of the service.

The family is eternally grateful for the care she received over the past several years following her stroke while living at ComForCare. We are so thankful to Ann, Lillian, and all of the wonderful caregivers for caring for her and loving her as if she was their own family.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the American Heart Association to help fund more research involving stroke and heart disease.

Funeral services for Patricia Jo Luce Stapp are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.

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