Petty, Patricia Philpott (“Pat”), 92, went home to be with the Lord, May 11th, after a courageous battle with a rare form of lung cancer.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John E. and Gertrude Philpott; her husband of 58 years, Brigadier General Robert O. (“Bob”) Petty; her brothers, A.L. Philpott and Harry Woodrow (“Bobby”) Philpott, and sisters, Maxine Dorness and Helen Palmour.
She is survived by her brother John D. Philpott; her four children, Lynn Payne (John), Suzanne Fuhrmeister, Mark Petty, and Sam Petty (Joanie), as well as nine grandchildren, Sarah Tulin (Sean), Johnny Payne (Tumie), Daniel Payne (Katie), Kimberly Fuhrmeister, Cory Fuhrmeister (Jordan Temple); Sierra Petty (Devin Allison), Logan and Shane Davis; and Toby Rollins; and nine great-grandchildren, Sedric Tulin; Theo, Zinzile, and Mia Payne; Slaton, Mary Madison, Anne Temple, and Hill Chandler Payne; and Erin Allison.
Born and raised in Bassett,Virginia, Pat dreamed of one day seeing the world. As a military spouse, she moved 20 times in the course of Bob’s long career in the Air Force, from Alabama, DC, Ohio, Illinois, Clifornia, New York, Scotland, England, and Germany. She loved every minute of it; her love of travel allowed her to see much larger parts of the world. And, oh the stories she could tell of their many adventures and misadventures!
Her talents and hobbies were varied: playing bridge, tole painting, oooing and ahhing over glorious sunsets, horseback riding, snow and water skiing in her younger days, and hiking up Jamison’s Mill in her later years.
Most of all, Pat had a big heart, a warm smile, a sunny outlook on life, welcoming all who crossed her path. To many, she was a second mom. The door was always open to her home with an extra place at the table. She left her mark of love and caring on the communities where she lived, including as a crisis counselor and hospice volunteer.
She wanted everyone she met to know that she was a real Christian. In the spring of 1980, she had an encounter with Jesus that changed her life. She was a faithful member of Stanleytown United Methodist Church. Thank you to Pastor David Westmoreland and all her church family for their love and support.
The family would like to thank Mountain Valley Hospice. They enabled a family beach trip with her to celebrate her 92nd birthday, and we could not have made it through her illness without them. Pat donated her body to the Virginia State Anatomical Program to support educational and scientific efforts. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 21st at Stanleytown United Methodist Church with visitation at 11:30, and the service to follow at 1:00. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Tackfully Teamed, the Salvation Army, and Doctors Without Borders.
Wright Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.wrightfuneralservices.net
