Dr. James Patty

Dr. James Patty, 90, of Jonesboro died Thursday, December 15, 2011 at St. Elizabeth’s Health and Rehab. He had lived in Jonesboro most of his life and served in the US Navy during WWII. He was a member of the Arkansas State University Music Department where he taught as a Professor of Music and Theory until his retirement. Dr. Patty was a member of First United Methodist Church and was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Oscar and Ella Herrington Patty.

Survivors are two daughters, Jimmilee Smithee and husband Joey of Jonesboro; Cheryl and one grandchild Sam Smithee.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M., Sunday, December 18, 2011 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Patty Soward officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers and burial will be at Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. until service time on Sunday at the Emerson Chapel.

For those wishing to leave lasting memorials, the family requests you please consider the Donald R. Minx Scholarship, PO Box 996, State University, Arkansas 72467; or the NEA Humane Society, 601 E. Highland, Jonesboro, Arkansas 72401; or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th fl., New York, NY 10001.