Patsy Roy Mathis

Patsy Roy Mathis, of Brownsville, Tennessee, passed away surrounded by love and the gentle care that had sustained her through many of life’s most difficult challenges. Born on June 3, 1945, in Brownsville, Patsy was the beloved daughter of Mary Jack and Shane Roy. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home with Chaplain Teresa Howard officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, at the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home. There will be a private burial.

At just over a year old, Patsy survived polio, beginning a lifelong journey of strength and perseverance. She received treatment at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Institute in Warm Springs, Georgia, whose work with polio patients gave her essential support during her early years. In the last twelve years of her life, she faced post-polio syndrome with extraordinary resilience, remaining bedridden but never without the faithful care of many devoted caregivers. Most recently, she was lovingly attended by Elizabeth Watson, Annette Tynes, Catrina Arave, and Betty Driver.

Patsy devoted her early adulthood to staying home with her children, where she found joy in sewing for others in the community. When her youngest child began kindergarten, she stepped into the role of school secretary at Tennessee Academy, where her warmth and dedication touched countless students and staff. She spent the majority of her career in the insurance industry, working many years in partnership with Betty Williams at Williams-Mathis Nationwide Insurance in Brownsville. Patsy later joined Moore Insurance, where she continued to serve her community with professionalism and care until her retirement.

Patsy enjoyed playing bridge and cherishing time with her two granddaughters, who brought immeasurable joy. Her lifelong love of Elvis was highlighted when she and her friends had a chance encounter with him at McKeller Lake, a memory that remained one of her favorite stories to tell.

Patsy is survived by her son, Dr. Christopher Mathis and his wife, Linda, of Germantown, TN; her daughter, Jennifer Mathis Cunningham of Brownsville; and her cherished granddaughters, Ainsleigh Cunningham Faulkner and her husband, Trevor, of Brandon, MS, and Delaney Cunningham (Kaegan Moody) of Jackson, TN. Since Christmas, Patsy had eagerly awaited the birth of Sadie Lane Moody, her first great granddaughter, who was born just two weeks ago.

In addition, Patsy is survived by her twin sisters, Barbara Roy Bond of Brownsville and Beverly Roy Lynne and her husband, Bob, of Lake Wales, FL; her sister-in-law, Mary Kay Roy of Collierville, TN; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and life-long friends. Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, and her older brother, Dr. Shane Roy, III.

Patsy was a woman of steadfast faith. A lifelong Baptist, she was raised in the Brownsville Baptist Church and was later a devoted member of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, TN, until her physical body became weak.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The STAR Center, 1119 Old Humboldt Road, Jackson, TN 38305, or the Brownsville-Haywood County Animal Shelter, c/o Sherry Batchelor, P.O. Box 449, Brownsville, TN 38012—two causes that reflect her compassion and commitment to others.  All arrangements and services are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home.