Patricia Ann Cayce's Obituary
Patricia Ann Cayce, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on April 4, 2026, at her home in Longview, Texas, at the age of 90. Patricia was born on February 12th, 1936, to Lydia Faye Eldridge Nethery and Claude Clayton Eldridge. She was a long-time resident of Arkansas before moving back to Texas with her husband and children in 1992. First and foremost, Patricia was a faithful follower of Jesus, a wife and a mother.
Patricia married Dick on June 12th, 1954, at the tender age of 18 after she graduated high school. Dick loved to tell the story of seeing her at a church revival and knowing that this was the girl he wanted to marry. She has always made a comfortable home for her husband and children.
While raising her children as a stay-at-home mom she made extra grocery money taking care of other children in her home. As a pastor’s wife she also worked at the many churches where Dick pastored. She wore many hats even as an 18-year-old bride. She sewed her own clothes and many of the clothes her children wore. Patricia learned to play the piano and to read music in her spare time. It wasn’t long before Patricia could tackle even the most complicated hymns for the congregations as they sang praise to our heavenly father at every church service and gathering. She took great pride in playing and found the time to practice even when having little kids everywhere. As a pastor’s wife she was not only the music director, she taught Sunday school, vacation bible school and anything else that needed to be done in each small church that Dick took under his wing at God’s prompting.
When her youngest daughter was old enough to be in school Patricia went to work outside the home. She worked as a teacher’s aid in Hot Springs where she worked with special needs students. She accompanied them to their high school classes and assisted them with their daily schoolwork. After moving to Texas, she continued her work outside the home as a teacher’s aid in the Longview School District and was instrumental in helping many special needs students in Hot Springs and Longview ISD learn to read. Giving any student the gift of reading was one of her favorite things to do. She found great satisfaction in seeing her students grow and reach goals they never dreamed possible.
After “retiring” from the Longview ISD Patricia doted on her 14 grandchildren and her 28 great grandchildren. She cooked for them every chance she got and kept many of her great grands as often as anyone would let her. The week prior to her passing she helped her granddaughter by entertaining her 4 small children so that her granddaughter could unpack their new home. The weekend prior to her passing she let one of her great grands spend the night with her and took her shopping for an easter dress and shoes. It was always her great joy to outfit the great grands for the holidays.
Dick and Patricia never knew the word retirement. Patricia was the sole caretaker as Dick began to age and slow down at 94. We all knew her care of him was the only reason he was able to work right up until he fell ill at 94 years young. Her insistence on doing everything to care for him was admirable. She really was an example of what it meant to love your spouse in sickness and in health until death do you part.
Patrica is survived by a sister, Shirley Nolen, her five children: Dickie Cayce (married to Robin Cayce), Cynthia Brackett (married to Randy Brackett), Gerald Cayce (married to Mary Jo Cayce), John Cayce (married to Leslie Cayce), and Charissa Redfearn (married to Julian Redfearn). Dick and Patricia were blessed with 14 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, all of whom lovingly referred to her as “Grandma.” She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who admired her deep faith and unwavering love.
Patricia was preceded in death by her loving husband Dick Lon Cayce Sr., siblings W C Eldridge, Thomas Eldridge and her grandson, Maverick Cayce.
A visitation and service celebrating Patricia’s life will take place at Rader Funeral Home in Longview, Texas. Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 1 p.m.., immediately followed by her service at 2 p.m. A private graveside gathering for the immediate family will take place at Rosewood Cemetery just after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to:
Younglife Greater Longview
26 A FRJ Drive
Longview, TX 75602
You can make a donation online at
https://giving.younglife.org/CayceMemorial
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