Patricia Ann Mata

A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later time.

Patsy Pena Mata’s story is one of redemption.

Patsy was born on September 25th, 1962. From the beginning of her life, the youngest of 14 children, Patsy always struggled to find her place. As older siblings began having children of their own, she became the one who often helped care for her nieces and nephews. She had a special place in her heart for each of them, perhaps because she knew she would never have children of her own. She soon began a life-long struggle with alcohol. This led her down a very difficult path, until she encountered Jesus in an unlikely place, a ministry called Kingdom Resources that ministered to youth primarily. She took in everything about Jesus. Patsy had a childlike faith and loved prayer. She would often share her story with kids, telling them to not live a life like she had chosen to. Patsy was a shining light at Kingdom Resources, always having a heart to serve and a desire to grow God’s Kingdom. A student she ministered to said that he remembered Patsy she would always tell him at such young age to always put God first, and to trust in everything that He does and that He provides. This trust she spoke of was something that Patsy had no idea would, later, need to be spoken over her.

For almost three years, God had written a promise on her heart that she, in the following years, would need to cling to. A promise that she was His. Temptation crept in and she succumbed to her previous lifestyle, and this time it would be the hardest road she would have to walk. Patsy found herself homeless, living on the streets of downtown San Antonio. Even in what felt like the loneliest of days, she knew God hadn’t left her. She had story after story of God providing for her, during that time, through His people. People ministering downtown through providing food and clothing… Patsy needing money and finding dollar bills inside of clothing that people had given her… God literally saving her life from dangerous people she came across. Shame had become almost too much to bear. Again, she found herself with no place. Then God brought her to Haven for Hope and there He gave her a second chance at life. Patsy soon had a small place of her own, and she began to start over.

A life of numerous physically demanding jobs, combined with her life choices had slowed Patsy’s body down…her body was worn out. Just 3 months ago, through the encouragement of family members, Patsy she began to see doctors. As she sat next to her sister, while hearing the words “cancer” and “6 months to live”, we believe God started making sense of it all to her. That day she told her sister that she was tired of being alone, and that she was ready to go home. Patsy struggled over the next few months to accept God’s grace over the life she had lived…going on, what seemed, like an apology tour of wanting people to know that she deeply regretted many of her life decisions. Little did she know that so many people were holding onto regrets of their own regarding her.

God began showing up in big ways through Patsy. She professed her faith to anyone that would listen…the nurse giving her infusions, the doctors, neighbors, family members. It was as if she just couldn’t contain how good God had been to her. Patsy didn’t blame God for her diagnosis, she called it “The Lecture of Life”. Her faith had brought her through some of the hardest seasons, and this was going to be no different. Some of the last words she spoke before becoming unable to speak were “I’m so blessed”.

Patsy’s family had been divided by years of disagreements and pride… but Patsy, the most unlikely person, began to bring her family together. As Patsy’s health quickly declined, the family came together for her. Patsy’s deep, unconditional love for her family was what pulled them in close. She had done what no one else had been able to do.

As family said goodbye on July 24th, 2022, she was ushered into heaven, surrounded with prayer and worship.

Patsy knew the life choices she made lead her down a winding path, but God fought for Patsy and His victory is all over her story. She was the lost one that He went back for time and time again because she was His…and that makes her story so much sweeter.

This is Patsy’s story of redemption, her testimony.

…I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

~ Romans 8:38