Patricia “Pat” Marie Lee Larkins was born October 3, 1944 to James I. Lee and Cyntheal Stallings Lee, the first born of four siblings. She received her elementary and high school education at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School graduating in the senior class of 1962 with honors. She attended Lamar State College in Beaumont and finished all requirements in three years. Following college she taught elementary education in the South Park Independent School District in Beaumont for three years.
In August of 1968 she married Alvin W. Larkins, then a junior at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. She was chosen Miss Kappa Alpha Psi at that institution. After his graduation in 1970, Pat and Alvin lived in several locations during his post Doctoral training as an intern, resident and fellow and during his stint as a flight surgeon in the Air Force. Pat continued her teaching career in Nashville, Tennessee; San Antonio, Texas; New Haven, Connecticut; and later Memphis, Tennessee.
The union of Pat and Alvin was blessed with two children Alvin W. Larkins, Jr. and Stacey Yvonne Larkins. After Alvin’s training they settled and established permanent residence in Englewood, New Jersey while Alvin practiced Orthopedic Surgery in Fort Lee, New Jersey and New York City. Pat served as his office manager while also managing their household, dealing with the joys and challenges of being “Mom”, a great homemaker, and devoted spouse. They joined the Riverside Church in New York City where they remain members to this day.
Upon return to Beaumont in 1994, Pat served as a substitute teacher in the Beaumont Independent School District. Shortly before health failed, she became a member of the Golden Triangle Links, an organization she cherished but was unable to fully participate due to her illness.
Over the years she continued to travel between her homes in Beaumont and Englewood and maintained close friends and relationships in both places. She traveled extensively in the United States and abroad. She had many hobbies and artistic interests. She loved tennis, sewing, crocheting, listening to jazz and gourmet cooking. Physical fitness was extremely important to her. She was an avid runner, winning several 5k races in her age range. She loved skiing, both cross-country and downhill and did so extensively in the United States and in Europe. She was a volunteer with the ambulance corp. in Englewood, active in Jack and Jill, “Moms on the Money” of Bergen County, and the National Spa Odyssey organization. On return to Beaumont, she volunteered with “Meals on Wheels”. Pat loved life, loved people and those who knew her well remember her kindness sincerity and warm friendship.
She entered eternal rest on Friday, December 14, 2007, leaving to cherish her legacy and memories, her mother, Cyntheal Lee; her aunt, Virginia Connors; husband, Dr. Alvin W. Larkins; son, Alvin W. Larkins, Jr.; daughter, Stacey Yvonne Larkins; sister, Denise Ross; brothers, James I. Lee, Jr. and David Earl Lee; nieces, Judy Dones, Chelsea Ross, Ann Patillo, and Dawn Patillo; nephews, Rodney Crook, Paul Stivers, Duane, Ronald, Kenny, and Patrick Green; cousins, Jocelyn Martin, Stephanie Rowe, Sharon Broussard, Clifford Stallings, William James, Wyndall James, Dr. Ida Hilliard (Dr. General Hilliard), Dr. Denise Hilliard, and Dr. Renee Hilliard; sisters-in-law, Jacqueline Larkins Crook, Jospehine Larkins Pattillo, Lyda Ruth Larkins Stivers, Otha Anne Larkins, and Dr. Shirley Larkins Green; and numerous friends throughout the country.
Memorial contributions may be made to Brain and Spine Center M.D. Anderson, 1100 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, In Honor of Patricia Larkins- 602571; or Beaumont Texas chapter of National Foundation for Cancer Research, P.O. Box 96021, Washington D.C. 20090-6021; or The Jacqueline Larkins Crook Music Scholarship Fund, Spelman College Division of Institutional Advancement, Atlanta, Georgia 30314.
