Patricia Milligan

Nauty Byrd Patricia Mayer Milligan (Pati) died peacefully at The Delaney at Lake Waco on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

A visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. We will celebrate Pati’s life with a memorial service at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 17, 2026, at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, 515 Columbus Avenue, with The Reverend Samantha R.E. Smith and The Reverend Gavin E. Tomlin officiating. Her ashes will be interred at Gladewater Memorial Cemetery.

Pati was born on July 29, 1949, in Gladewater, Texas to Gordon Joseph Mayer and Nauty Byrd Pelphrey Mayer. She shared a close relationship with her older brother, Gordon J. Mayer Jr. (Rick). Her hometown of Gladewater always held a special place in her heart. She graduated from Gladewater High School in 1967 where she was a majorette. She stayed in contact with her high school friends and regularly attended class reunions. Pati shared her love of her hometown with her daughters, and they enjoyed attending the Gladewater Round-Up Rodeo together with her parents and brother every summer.

Pati initially went to Kilgore College before completing her undergraduate degree at East Texas State University (Texas A&M Commerce). She received a Master of Education from Texas A&M University, a Master of Science in Computer Science from East Texas State University, and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of North Texas. She completed research in the areas of IT auditing and outsourcing. Her interest in global technology provided opportunities for her to present at multiple international conferences with her dear friend, Donna Hutcheson. Pati started her teaching career at East Texas State University in Commerce. When she moved to Waco in 1978, she initially worked at American Amicable Insurance.

While Pati never attended Baylor University as a student, she considered herself a proud Baylor Bear! She was a Professor of Information Systems at the Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University from 1983 to 2020. She was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority along with her mother, aunts, and daughter, Mindy. She supported the Theta Iota Chapter at Baylor as faculty advisor for many years. Pati was an avid supporter of the Baylor Women and Men Basketball teams.

Pati married Michael D Milligan on November 18, 1978. She was proud to live and raise her daughters in Waco. She was a faithful member of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. She was a member of the Altar Guild and served as a lay eucharist minister, a lector, an intercessor, and a Sunday school teacher. Pati was a dedicated volunteer to multiple charitable organizations in Waco. She loved being involved with her daughter’s activities including the Children of the American Revolution and the Girl Scouts of America as a troop leader. She was a member of the Junior League of Waco and enjoyed her involvement with the Charity Ball and Christmas on the Brazos. She was the Chairman of the Brazos River Festival. Pati also served on multiple committees for the Waco Cotton Palace Pageant and Festival on the Brazos for many years.

Pati was passionate about history and genealogy. She enjoyed exploring her family roots and ancestry while travelling and connecting with distant relatives around the world. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, and the Magna Carta Society. She was honored to attend the 800th anniversary celebration hosted and led by Queen Elizabeth II on 15 June 2015 in Runnymede, England.

Pati instilled her love of travel in her family. Multiple road trips with her mother, daughters, and friends took her to all 50 states. She traveled extensively around the world with her daughters, grandchildren, and friends who shared her adventurous spirit. She accomplished her dream of seeing every continent with highlights including braving the polar plunge in Antarctica, hot air ballooning over the Masai Mara, lunch in the Kremlin, watching the sunrise on Rapa Nui, and sunset snorkeling in Hawaii.

Pati’s positive attitude and animated personality brought joy to her family and friends. Her daughters described her as an adventurous, inspiring, and loving mother. Pati’s favorite title was “Nana” and she was blessed with seven grandchildren who meant the world to her. She took advantage of every opportunity to spend time creating priceless memories with them that will never be forgotten.

Pati was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon Joseph Mayer and Nauty Byrd Pelphrey Mayer, and her brother, Gordon J. Mayer, Jr.

She is survived by her daughters, Dr Mindy Reeves and husband, Simon Reeves, Dr Mitzi Taylor and husband, Dr Sam Taylor; and her grandchildren, Ben, Charlotte, Crewe and Laurel Reeves of Manchester, England and Mackenzie, Sonora, and Millie Taylor of Christchurch, New Zealand.

Honorary pallbearers include Karen Conine, Lisa Jaynes, Collette Karr, Sue Ann Swenke, B.G. Coulter, Ann Boone, and Greg Cole.

The family is deeply grateful to her friends and neighbors, staff and friends from The Delaney, and the Texas Oncology team for the loving care given to Pati over the past year.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Paul’s Episcopal Day School, Cameron Park Zoo, or a charity of your choice. In honor of Pati, the family suggests colorful attire to celebrate her vibrant life.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Patricia on her “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.