Carolea H. Knox

Carolea 'Gloria' Hayes Patton Knox, 102, died peacefully on Thursday, November 27, 2008 at her home in Lafayette. A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 19, 2008 at 1:00 pm at Grace Presbyterian Church. The family will receive visitors immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall. Survivors include her daughter-in-law, Carol Conover Patton, her grandchildren, David and Sue Patton of Lafayette, Drew and Angi Patton of Houston, Texas, and Ellen Patton of Lafayette, her great-grandchildren, Evan and Caroline Patton of Winter Garden, Florida, Kyle Patton of Lafayette, Elizabeth Patton of Columbia, South Carolina, and Sara Patton of Los Angeles, California, her niece, Toni Hayes and her nephew, Jimmy Hayes. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Winnie Hayes, her brothers, John Hayes and Jack Hayes, her sister, Cappi Blanco, her first husband, Joseph A. Patton, her second husband, Milton H. Knox, her infant daughter, Gloria Patricia Patton, her son William 'Bill' A. Patton, her great grandson, Zeek Patton, her nephew, Freddy Hayes and her very dear friend Ruth Allen. Gloria Knox was born on September 5th, 1906 in Coushatta, Louisiana. At the age of 16, she began a lifelong career in the oil industry. Starting out as a secretary for the Texas Company, she worked her way up to become the first female district landman in the United States. Throughout the years, she worked to establish and promote Lafayette as a center for oil activity in Louisiana. She played an integral role in the founding of the Petroleum Club of Lafayette, the Lafayette Oil Center, LAGCOE, Desk and Derrick, the Lafayette Oil Directory, Lafayette Municipal Auditorium and several professional organizations. Having received many awards and acknowledgments, she was delighted that in 2001, she was honored as LAGCOE Looey by the Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition. In addition to her career in the oil industry, Gloria Knox loved her work with Mardi Gras balls and especially The Order of the Troubadours. Each yearly cycle of establishment of theme, costume design and creation, cast selection, scripts, rehearsals, and celebrations culminating in ball night brought her great joy. Many of her most treasured friendships had their beginnings in Mardi Gras activities. The family wishes to thank Lucille Babineaux, Lena Senegal, Agnes Kilchrist and all of the Hospice of Acadiana personnel for their kindness and dedication. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Presbyterian Church or to Hospice of Acadiana.

Carolea H. Knox

September 5, 1906 - November 27, 2008