Patricia Anne Ross

Patricia Anne Ross passed away on August 11, 2020 at her home in Paige, Texas with husband Don at her side.  Anne was born in San Benito, Texas on December 6, 1953 and has returned to her heavenly home.

Anne’s lifelong passions were art, nature, animals, friendship, Christian fellowship, and good humor.  As a teenager she drew pen and ink drawings of birds, trees, and dogs.  She kept an endless number of pets including gerbils, ducks, dogs, Guinea pigs, and hamsters. As an adult, she kept parrots, love birds, dogs, and miniature donkeys. These animals were the inspiration for the drawings and clay figurines she produced for friends and for her small business called “Animal House Creations”.  Before Animal House was off and running, she took a grant job with City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. In this role, eventually drew the logo the City of Austin still uses for its “Dillo Dirt” fertilizer—a happy armadillo character hauling dirt.

Anne brought smiles to family and friends with her endless creativity, inspiration and laughter and was often referred to as the “Beacon of Bastrop”.  Anne tried college at Texas Tech and then at UT Austin seeking a major in art but left academic training for technical trade school in drafting. She loved the detail of making piping and mechanical drawings for the City of Austin Electric Power department—no doubt “drawing” on her pen and ink heritage.

Anne met her husband Don in Austin, Texas in 1983, was instantly smitten but waited until spring 1993 to get married.  They shared life for 37 years--first in a Bastrop house and then in Paige, Texas (after the 2011 Bastrop fires caused them to restart). Their home has been continually filled with a menagerie of dogs, birds and miniature donkeys and surrounded by loblolly pines and oak trees. Today, the Paige house is adorned with garden flowers, a water fountain and bird houses. For over 20 years, Anne and Don shared Christian fellowship, worship and Bible studies at Bastrop Bible Church.

Don was Anne’s lifeline as she confronted medical issues which started with childhood diabetes and then asthma and heart disease later in life.  Don, with his endless patience and devotion, ensured Anne attended all her medical appointments and prescriptions.  He phoned family and friends at all hours of the days and nights with updates on Anne’s latest medical status.  He rushed Anne to the Hospital Emergency Room on many occasions and administered care at home in critical situations.  The Rumbo family is eternally grateful for Don’s lifelong care and compassion for Anne.

Anne was preceded in death by her father and mother Robert & Mary Lou Rumbo and her brother Thomas Rumbo.  She is survived by her beloved husband Donald Ross of Paige, brother Jim (Nancy) Rumbo of Austin, sister-in-law Shannon Davis of Harlingen, sister-in-law Virginia Ross of San Angelo, nephew Justin (Beth) Rumbo of Ingram and niece Chelsea Rumbo of San Antonio, grandnieces Makenna and Lily Rumbo of Ingram and step-son Chad (Jenny) Ross and grandson Parker of San Antonio.  Also survived by Anne’s collection of dogs (Rascal, Doodlebug, Guido, and Barney) , parrot (Chula) and donkeys (Spanky and BJ).

The Ross and Rumbo families would like to thank the numerous medical professionals who provided lifelong support for Anne through her various medical conditions.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at Bastrop Bible Church, 602 Pecan Street, Bastrop, Texas with Dr. Robert Oliver officiating on August 22, 2020 at 10:00 am with Facebook live streaming https://www.bastropbible.org In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bastrop Bible Church Benevolence Fund, ATTN: Treasurer, PO Box 1560, Bastrop, TX 78602.