Patricia Dumas Ours (“Pat”) departed this world at home on June 8, 2022. A loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, and mother, she will be missed by her family, friends, and anyone who had the good fortune to know her. Pat was born in Goliad, Texas, the youngest of four children born to Melvin Oscar Dumas and Helen Lorene Barger Dumas. Her father’s work in construction saw the family move around the country frequently including to Racine, Ohio where she met her husband William H. Ours (“Bill”). Pat and Bill were married on August 22, 1969 and remained by each other’s side for the next 52 years.

While balancing being a young wife and mother, Pat attended Mississippi University for Women earning her bachelor’s degree in education, and later earned a Master’s Degree +30 in Education Supervision from Northwestern State University. For over 45 years she dedicated her professional life to the education, support, and defense of children. After relocating to Marksville in 1982 she began working at Marksville Middle School where she taught thousands of students language arts, science, and much more. She established and sponsored the first Beta Club, directed multiple musicals, and sponsored the cheerleaders. She would later serve as an assistant principal and interim principal at schools around the parish. She was the Avoyelles Parish Teacher of the Year in 1986 and received recognition for her talent and dedication throughout her career. After being acknowledged as Teacher of the Year she provided a quote that reflects her love and dedication to her students.

“My philosophy of teaching encompasses the whole child. Respect of and fairness to each individual lays the foundation upon which to build academic skills.”

After retiring from the Avoyelles Parish School Board, she continued to advocate for children through education by helping to establish charter schools in the parish that offered parents a choice in educating their children. For Pat, education was never about doing the same things over-and-over again and expecting a different result. The education of children was her priority even if it meant disrupting systems and traditions or ruffling the feathers of adults that did not share her passion or vision. Most recently she was instrumental in establishing the Red River Charter Academy, served on its Board of Directors, and would even substitute teach when needed. Now, after a career and life dedicated to others she is at rest with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents Melvin Oscar Dumas and Helen Lorene Barger Dumas of San Antonio, Texas, her brother Gary Wayne Dumas of Poway, California, and brother Melvin Michael (“Mike”) Dumas and sister-in-law Diana Dumas of Rome, Georgia.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband Bill, her two sons William Patrick (“Billy”) Ours of Galveston, Texas and Ryan Neil (Robin) Ours of Baton Rouge, her grandchildren Sydney Lorene Ours, Megan Anne Ours, and Samuel Patrick Ours all of Kuna, Idaho, Anabelle Grace Ours, Audrey Claire Ours, William Ryan Ours, and Alexandra Reese Ours all of Baton Rouge, sister Linda Dumas (Lee) Kerouac of Pensacola, Florida, sister-in-law Cheryl Dumas of Poway, California, daughters-in-law Julie Ours of Kuna, Idaho and Shannon Ours of Guntersville, Alabama, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

A celebration of Pat’s life will be held on Thursday, June 16th at the Marksville United Methodist Church with visitation from 4-6 p.m. and memorial service to follow. In lieu of flowers, if you are so led, please consider a monetary donation to the Red River Charter Academy or the educational charity of your choice.

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