Patricia Loretta (Smith) Lilley, 80, of Houston, Texas passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at her home.

Pat is survived by her son Kent Lilley, his wife, Rebecca, and grandson, Jackson, of Acworth, Georgia; son, Kevin Lilley, and granddaughter, Kianna, of Dallas, Georgia; son, Kurt Lilley, and grandson, Matthew, of Houston, Texas; daughter, Keri Lilley, of League City, Texas; her sister-in-law, Caterina Smith, of Knoxville, TN and sister-in-law, Peggy Smith, of Tampa, FL.

Pat was born on January 5, 1941 in Centerville, Indiana to Bill and Mary Katherine "Billie" Smith. She graduated high school from Centerville High School and attended college at Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. While at Baptist Bible College, Pat met Larry and they were married in 1960. Larry passed away in 2016.

After getting married, Pat was a very active stay-at-mom to her 4 children, serving hand in hand with her husband, Larry, who was in full-time ministry at several churches in New Mexico, Ohio, and Texas throughout his life. The many leadership responsibilities that Pat held included bible teacher, church pianist, choir director, women's ministry leader, and youth ministry leader. At the time of her death, Pat was still teaching the bible at her church, Houston's First Baptist Church, as well as serving as a mentor to younger women in the church.

Pat is probably best known for her incredible musical ability on the piano. She began playing at a young age, including being a church accompanist at 11 years old. After her kids were grown, she spent much of her adult life teaching piano professionally and was still teaching a handful of students at the time of her death.

Outside of her deep love for family and friends, Pat's greatest loves were sharing the gospel and music. She used both to spread the love and salvation of Jesus with everyone she met. She never met a stranger, she loved to laugh, she was very funny, and she believed the good in everyone. As people keep saying over and over, she was one of a kind.

While she will be greatly missed and there is deep sadness in her passing, she and her family know that her death is not the end, but the beginning of eternal life in heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.