Patsy Cross Patterson

DENTON – Patsy Cross Patterson, a past co-owner of the Denton Record-Chronicle and an active community leader in Denton, died Aug. 29. She was 88.
Mrs. Patterson was born Oct. 24, 1929, in Paris, Texas. In 1945, her parents, Riley and Vivian Cross, bought the Record-Chronicle and the family moved to Denton. She grew up at the Record-Chronicle, holding many positions and eventually serving as secretary of the Board of Directors. She and her husband, Fred Patterson, were the owners when the newspaper was sold to the A. H. Belo Corp. in June 1999.
Mrs. Patterson graduated from Denton High School in 1948 and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she received a bachelor of journalism degree in 1951. She worked in almost every department at the newspaper, including society editor, and at a travel agency the newspaper established. She attended the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and sent back stories about the coronation.
She was a leader in the community, serving as president of the Arts Guild and president of the Denton Community Theatre, as well as many other organizations. She was a charter member and past president of the Denton Benefit League. In 2014, the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center was named for Fred and Patsy Patterson and Roy Appleton Jr., former general manager of the Record-Chronicle.
Mr. and Mrs. Patterson started the annual Christmas Lighting Program that continues today on the downtown square in Denton.
The couple traveled extensively, including trips to Russia and China.
She is survived by her husband, Fred; two sons, Bill Patterson and Riley Patterson; five grandchildren, two great grandchildren and a sister. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister. 
Services were held Sept. 2 at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Denton.