Patty Jaynes' Obituary
Patty Roberts Jaynes peacefully slipped away on December 26, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. Patty was born on September 14, 1934 in Henryetta, Oklahoma to the late Levi and Marcell Roberts.
Levi and Marcell were industrious parents and during the Depression, they kept their family well provided for with chickens and cow milk. They encouraged Patty to develop her talents, and at an early age, Patty learned to play the piano as well as the clarinet which she played in the Henryetta High School marching band. It was the piano that she trained on for the rest of her life. She was a gifted student who could play by ear and improvise to make the keyboard sparkle.
Patty studied music performance at Oklahoma Baptist University and she received her Bachelors of Arts in Music from The University of Missouri.
Patty lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for over 30 years, and there, she met the love of her life, Reid M. Jaynes. Reid adored Patty, affectionately calling her Peanut. He taught her to play jazz and together they made music in restaurants around the city.
After Reid passed, Patty moved to Memphis to be close to her daughter and son-in-law, Marci and Jeff. She played piano for Peabody Baptist Church as well as for Open Door Bible Church until age 80. For several years, she enjoyed participating in the Beethoven Club whose mission is to develop and promote classical musicians. Patty got a big kick out of being included in the roll of those honored on the Las Savall jewelry sign that posted “Patty Jaynes Makes Memphis a Better Place.”
During her lifetime, Patty shared her gifts by playing piano for churches, hospitals, weddings, and restaurants. She was rehearsal accompanist for musicals, for ballet rehearsals at Point Park College, and she gave private piano lessons at Carnegie Mellon University and Chatham University.
Patty was preceded in death by her parents Levi and Sarah Ellen (Marcell) Roberts, her soulmate, Reid M. Jaynes, her beloved son, Drew Maxey, her sister Monte Jo Roberts, and her brother, Leonard Williams.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marci (Maxey) and Jeff Hendrix.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Beethoven Club and to Open Door Church in Patty’s memory.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home with a private service to be held.
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