Texas Matriarch and Philanthropist Patsy Hortense Brown Winn Passes Away
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2023
Powered by faith, family, and love, Patsy Hortense Brown Winn, a member of the greatest generation of Americans, lived through significant historical milestones in the United States such as the Great Depression, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Civil Rights Movement, Man’s Landing on the Moon, the Great Oil and Gas Boom, and raised a loving family during her remarkable 94 years of life went to join her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, with family by her side.
Family, business associates, and friends mourn the passing of Patsy Hortense Brown Winn for her extraordinary loyalty and contributions to her late husband, Charles Coleman “C.C.” Winn, the family business-Winn Exploration Company, Inc., children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews and nieces, friends, and society as a strong and faith-based matriarch and philanthropist, touching the lives of thousands of people.
Born to Hugh (Shug) Brown and Brontie Isabella Miles Brown in Turner, Arkansas on December 21, 1928, Patsy was born again in 1956 when she received Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.
While working in the oil business in San Antonio, Texas, Patsy and some friends were strolling down the street during lunch when she first met “Charlie” and got introduced. She proclaimed that it was love at first sight for her. They fell in love and shortly thereafter got married in the summer of 1955. Patsy in an interview with the Eagle Pass Business Journal on April 23, 2021, stated “We made a deal when we got married: that he would make the living and I was supposed to make the living worthwhile.”
Patsy and Charlie raised five children during their marriage, including Stephanie, Charlie, Patsy (Sissy), Tom, and Southern. Their daughter, Patsy (Sissy), and her husband, Allan Seale, died in a tragic airplane accident in 1983 in Eagle Pass. The oil business is what brought them to Eagle Pass in 1971 until the family relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1995.
Patsy will be remembered for her compassion to others, her dedication to her family and friends, and her faithful devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She will also be remembered for being a loving and beautiful matriarch and a generous philanthropist to the communities she lived in such as Eagle Pass, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Kerrville.
Patsy and Charlie Winn and their family have made numerous philanthropic donations to the community of Eagle Pass, including a land donation for the construction of the Southwest Texas Junior College and Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College campuses, another land donation for construction of C. C. Winn High School, an additional land donation for the construction of the Eagle Pass Independent School District Student Activity Center, and the donation of 124 acres for the construction of the City of Eagle Pass Patsy Winn Sports Complex.
In addition, Patsy and Charlie Winn were always ready and willing to help others, whether it was an individual or an organization, throughout Texas and Mexico, including, but not limited to, Colegio Biblico of Eagle Pass, an orphanage in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, scholarships for high school graduating seniors in Eagle Pass, Corpus Christi Spohn Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Metro Ministries of Corpus Christi, PeeWee’s Pet Adoption Rescue, Salvation Army, Stars Scholarship Program, and countless of private donations to individuals in need.
One of her greatest honors was the naming of the City of Eagle Pass Patsy Winn Sports Complex in her own name. Patsy stated “the City of Eagle Pass Patsy Winn Sports Complex is dedicated to the young people and adults of Eagle Pass so that they may enjoy and benefit from the facility for many generations to come.” She personally attended the inauguration ceremony of the City of Eagle Pass Patsy Winn Sports Complex on July 1, 2021. She stated: “I am deeply honored and so excited to have this new City of Eagle Pass Sports Complex named after myself. I have never had anything named after me before. We are always happy to help in any way we can. It really is about what the people of Eagle Pass have done for us.”
Patsy once stated “it is not the streets and buildings that makes up a City, it is the people.” Patsy and Charlie fell in love with the people in Eagle Pass and how they accepted them into the community.
Patsy is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Bernice Sheig (Bill), Julia Fuller, Virginia Parker (Doyle), and Betty Ruffo (Roxy). She was also predeceased by her loving husband of 64 years, Charles Coleman “C.C.” Winn, and their daughter, Patsy Sissy Winn Seale (Allan).
Survivors include her four beloved children: Stephanie, Charlie (Nancy), Tom (Melissa), and Southern (Cathy). Grandchildren include Megan and Dillon, Amy and Sissy, Cathleen, Southern Cole, Charles Cody, Trey, and Patsy Nicole. Great Grandchildren include Vivian Marie, Gregory Ray, Michael Charles, and many beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, friends, and special niece, friend, and caregiver Caroline Szepessy (Andy).
Visitation will be held from 3 P.M.-5 P.M. on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at Yorktown Baptist Church, 5025 Yorktown Boulevard, Corpus Christi, Texas 78413.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 A. M. on Monday, August 28, 2023, at Rancho Anejo, formerly Winn Ranch, in Eagle Pass, Texas, 6596 U. S. Highway 57, Eagle Pass, Texas. The gate is on the left; follow the blacktop road to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of a memorial made in Patsy’s name to Yorktown Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas or a charity of your choosing.
Patsy will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all.
Her granddaughter, Megan Winn, stated “She played a vital role in shaping the lives of our family and community, especially Eagle Pass, leaving a positive imprint that extends far beyond her immediate presence. She will be dearly missed by us all. But greater than our sorrow is her rejoicing in the arms of Jesus. Her prayers, words of wisdom and encouragement, and random acts of kindness will never be forgotten.”
Rest in Peace, Patsy Hortense Brown Winn.
