Patricia "Patti" Jane Pirtle Garner

Celebrating the life of Patricia “Patti” Garner — forever cherished, may her kindness, 

warmth, and gentle spirit live on in the hearts of all who loved her.

Patricia “Patti” Jane Pirtle Garner, 70, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Amarillo.

A memorial service celebrating Patti’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in the Ivy Chapel at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home, located at 2800 Paramount Boulevard. Associate Pastor, Katie Hill, of Polk Street United Methodist Church will be officiating. Burial will be in Llano Cemetery.

Viewing will be available the day before the funeral, Monday, May 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the same location.

Patti was born Patricia Jane Pirtle on March 30, 1956, in Levelland, Texas, to Lynwood and Juanita Pirtle. She graduated from Levelland High School in 1974, where she was active in the Lobo band and choir. Music remained a lifelong passion for Patti. She studied piano in her youth and later shared her love of music by teaching piano lessons.

She attended South Plains College, later continuing her education at Texas Tech University before earning her Bachelor of Science in Education from West Texas State University (now WTAMU) in 1980. Patti worked as a legal secretary before beginning a career in banking as a lending administrator at First National Bank.

Patti married Jeff Brown, and together they welcomed their son, Evan Taylor Brown. In 2003, she married Derrell Garner of Amarillo.

For 18 years, Patti served as a school librarian with Canyon Independent School District at Sundown Lane and City View Elementary Schools. She touched countless lives through her gentle spirit, kindness, and encouragement. Patti was beloved not only by the many piano students she taught over the years, but also by the thousands of children whose love of books and reading blossomed under her caring guidance as a librarian.

She is survived by her loving husband, Derrell Garner, and her son, Evan Brown, both of Amarillo; her sister, Lynnita Pirtle Uselton and husband Jim of Granbury; her brother, Kenneth D. Pirtle and wife Tarrie Sue of Amarillo; Derrell’s son Dennis Garner and wife Cindy of Amarillo and their son, Dillon Garner of Houston; cousin Marie Anderson of Bedford; nephews Greg Tyler of Granbury and Jeff Pirtle of Waco; nieces Kelly Barker of Richardson and Susan Pirtle of Longview; along with many great-nieces and great-nephews who affectionately knew her as their “GREAT Aunt Patti.”

The family suggests memorials be made to the Music Ministry at Polk Street Methodist Church, 1401 S. Polk Street, Amarillo, TX 79101, or to a favorite charity in Patti’s memory.