Patsy Young Smith

Patricia “Patsy” Young Smith, age 75 of Rocky Mount passed away on September 16, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Lauren and Sarah Elizabeth Ramsey Young; sister, Sara Ann Young Guilliams; and brother, James Bernard Young. She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 55 years, John “Johnny” Luther Smith; her only child, Lauren “Laurie” Smith Wright; and grandchildren, Sydney Grace Wright and Sam Hunter Wright; brother and sisters-in-law, Barry & Cindy Smith, Aubrey & Phillis Smith, Betty Myers Young; many nieces and nephews; special niece, Mandy Guilliams Brown, that she loved like a daughter; and former son-in-law, Steve Wright. Patsy was born April 27, 1943 and graduated from Franklin County High School in 1961. She graduated from Radford College in 1964 with a degree in elementary education and began her teaching career in Pulaski County teaching 4 ^th grade. She then moved to Franklin County in 1965 where she taught 3 ^rd and 4 ^th grades at Rocky Mount Elementary School and Lee M. Waid Elementary School until 1987. She loved teaching and reading books to her class. Past students have fond memories of her reading “The Laura Ingalls Wilder Books.” She loved when past students returned and shared their accomplishments with her. Patsy attended Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Sydnorsville, VA. She was a very active member in the MYF and the youth choir. She joined the church in 1952 at the age of 9. She became the pianist and choir director and served in that capacity for 25 years. She was also a Sunday School and Bible School Teacher, active in the Lord’s Acre program and also a member of the Irene Ramsey women’s circle. Patsy was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to many. She enjoyed cooking for her family, singing and playing the piano, gardening and planting flowers, lying in the sun, finding sharks teeth at Myrtle Beach, reading, and solving crossword puzzles. She especially loved listening and singing to Elvis songs. She was extremely creative when it came to writing poems and stories for family members and loved ones. She took pride in her grandchildren and introduced the love of reading to Sydney and Sam when they were very young. Patsy suffered from multiple illnesses for over 30 years while complaining very little. Her faith in God helped her endure her medical issues to the very end. There have many individuals that have assisted Patsy on this journey. The love and support of Cindy and Barry Smith who were “on call” 24 hours a day made it possible to keep Patsy at her home. Dr. Jack Bumgardner, Dr. Tracey Criss, Betina Muse, N.P., the loving and caring Carilion Hospice Staff, Susan Mabe, Julianne Cook, Miss Kitty, Jessie St. Jean, and Jewell LaClair. Her loving caregivers who attended to Patsy’s every need, Tracey Thompson, Doris Young Radford, Sherry Bohon, Kim Eaton, Sarah Maddy, and Mary and Faith Hunziker. Special thanks to Patsy’s neighbors and members of BUMC for the many acts of kindness during this time and to pastor, Chris Bennett, for his love and support. Contributions can be made to the following: Bethlehem United Methodist Church, c/o Rita Doughton, 2085 Crooked Oak Road, Rocky Mount VA 24151, or Rocky Mount Elementary School, 555 School Board Rd, Rocky Mount, VA 24151 or Lee M. Waid Elementary School, 540 East Court St., Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Checks may be written to either school in memory of Patsy Y. Smith to purchase clothing and supplies for students in need. Memorial services will be conducted from Flora Funeral Chapel 11 a.m. Friday with Rev. Chris Bennett officiating. Her family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.