Patti Lee Clabaugh Peil of Darrouzett, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 24, 2023. Patti was born March 1, 1954, in Oklahoma City to Nina Marie (Johns) Clabaugh and Arza Lee Clabaugh.

Join us to celebrate Patti's life on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at the Darrouzett Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall from 10 am to 12 pm. We'll cherish and remember the beautiful moments she shared with us. Feel free to come and go as you wish—no set schedule.

Patti graduated from Woodward High School in 1972 and earned her music degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. At SWOSU she was active in the music and theater departments and starred in many shows. She always had a flair for the dramatic and to see her on stage was nothing short of magic.

One of the coolest things she did was play Kate Lucas in Texas during 1976 and 1977. She loved to go back and watch the production in the summers and reminisce on her time on the stage.

On May 24, 1980, she married William Peil, creating a loving home in Darrouzett, Texas, where they welcomed their daughter, Whitney, in October of 1982. Patti often commented that  the best times of her life were when she and Bill, Whitney and their niece, Kristi, took off on road trips and camping adventures. She prioritized spending time  with the people she loved and always said that making memories was what life was all about.

She was an avid football fan and loved cheering on her Texas Tech Red Raiders, Canadian Wildcats and Perryton Rangers. When her daughter began teaching in Canadian, she adopted the Wildcats as her own. She was even known to make special treats for them from time to time.

Patti's life was devoted to education. She spent most of her teaching career in Perryton, Texas, and taught music, choir, and almost every grade level. Her dedication to teaching extended beyond the classroom as she maintained lasting connections with her students. No student ever left her classroom without feeling loved. Beyond the curriculum, it was most important to her that her kids at school knew she loved them fiercely and that she was always in their corner.

Patti joined the Eta Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma September 1, 1997. This organization honors women educators and, in turn, serves local communities. Patti was a member of the TSO state choir, chaired many chapter and state committees, and served as Area XI Coordinator. Her interest in leadership led her to take the Leadership Training course offered by Delta Kappa Gamma and become part of the training to encourage others to take it. Delta Kappa Gamma will greatly miss her presence.

When her grandson, Easton, was born in 2010, she often said she wasn't old enough to be a grandma. But, when that baby was born, she got herself all wrapped around his finger. And, in 2016, when her granddaughter, Finley, was born, her heart grew a little more. She loved chasing her grandkids around and cheering them on in everything they did. Patti found immense pride and joy in her role as Nana Peil.

Patti was an incredibly gifted singer. She performed in countless local productions and sang at many events and services. Once, T. Graham Brown told her that her version of Crazy was better than Patsy Cline's. No one who heard her sing was left untouched; her voice never failed to move people to tears.

Upon retirement, Patti and Bill embraced the joy of travel, exploring Alaska, Maine, and countless places in between with their RV and cherished friends. Their favorite, though, was camping in Marble Falls, Texas, and exploring the beauty of the Hill Country.

After 43 years of marriage, Patti is survived by her loving husband, William Peil, daughter Whitney Jones, son-in-law Adam Jones, and grandchildren Easton and Finley Jones. She is also remembered and loved by her niece Kristi Larson, along with her husband Kevin and their children, Katie and Kaden. She is preceded in death by her parents,  Arza Lee and Nina Clabaugh,  and her in-laws, Sam and DeLain Peil. Patti will be dearly missed by a host of family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor Patti's memory by donating a book to your local school library. Patti's passion for literacy and her commitment to nurturing young minds will live on through this meaningful gesture.