Patricia R. Williams

This year Mother’s Day was devastating as we lost our wonderful Mother, Patricia R. Williams on May 14, 2023. Patricia was born on December 22, 1943 in Newport News, Virginia and moved to Glen Alpine as a young child. She was the daughter of the late, W. Lester Reeps and Juanita Reeps Patton. Patricia graduated from Glen Alpine High School where she was a great student and found her love of basketball. Patricia’s athletic abilities were showcased in her high school basketball career which began when she was in 9th grade and played with the senior team and continued to “start” for each of her high school years. During that time, she received many accolades for her basketball, including being named as All Burke County. In her later years, Patricia was inducted into the GA Hall of Fame to memorialize her love of basketball. Patricia was beautiful inside and out and was loved by many. While also in high school, she was crowned the GA Homecoming Queen in 1961 and was humbled by that honor as she loved her hometown of Glen Alpine.

Patricia began her impeccable working career of over 50 years when she began working for Judge Samuel Tate upon graduating from high school. Her next position was Administrative Secretary in the Planning and Zoning Department at the City of Morganton, where she was loved by employees and customers alike. She was a dedicated employee and always had a smile for everyone who came through the doors of City Hall. Patricia met her lifelong friend of 50 years, Sherri Smith, at City Hall and they have remained best friends. Patricia retired after 31 years, at the young age of 52 to take care of one of her true loves, her first grandson, Dawson. She would experience this true love again 7 years later with the birth of grandson, Brody. After her retirement from City Hall, Patricia continued to serve the city of Morganton by participating on the Planning Committee/Board of Adjustment for many years. Patricia switched careers as her grandchildren grew, working as a behavioral specialist aide for Burke County Public Schools. She remained employed there for the next 18 years. Once again, Patricia excelled in this position as she showered her academically challenged students with unconditional love and respect. Her work ethic combined with her true desire to help children was magnified during these years and earned her the respect of teachers, parents, and the administration at Burke County schools. Patricia finished her working career at A Caring Alternative, LLC where once again she was dedicated and loved by her co workers as well as her behavioral health clients. She responded to each client in her caring and loving way to assist them with achieving goals and becoming productive and independent within the community.

Patricia was passionate about her love for Christ as well as for others. She was kind, polite, dedicated and loved deeply, these character traits transitioned to her church activities and family. Patricia was a member of Gibbs Chapel Wesleyan Church for over 60 years and during that time held numerous positions and offices in her desire to help the church grow and flourish. Patricia was the first female “elected” to the church board after her initial “appointment” serving as church secretary. Our family had a long running joke about how she actually quit a second job she had at a convenience store over an employee who did not get to her shift in time for Patricia to make it to her Church board meeting. Patricia served many years on the Board as well as in several other capacities within the church, including Wesleyan Women, adult and children’s classes, food committees, Vacation Bible School and the list goes on. Patricia volunteered for several years for the Glen Alpine Food Pantry serving the community in yet another capacity. Once again, her dedication and love of God were a priority above all else.

As much as Patricia loved her daughters, she loved her grandchildren more. They were her world and she doted and cared for each one and spent all her time assuring they were “taken care” of. Patricia was so proud of her grandchildren and would talk about their achievements to anyone and everyone. Her girls have often been amazed at the difference in her parenting as a mother and her parenting as a grandmother as her grandchildren were always right and the parents were the ones who were wrong.

Anyone who truly knew Patricia will understand she is in Heaven at her 3rd Elvis concert.

Patricia is survived by her loving daughters, Donna W. Wright (Jeremy) and Sheila W. Perkins (David), her adoring grandchildren, Dr. Shannon Swink, Lieutenant Dawson Perkins of the USMC, Brody Wright and Skyler Taylor, a great grandson, Blake Swink-Bowen; sisters, Carol Johnston and Phyllis Whitt; and a number of nieces and nephews..

Patricia was preceded in death by her daughter Julia W. Miller and the father of her children, Donald M. Williams.

The graveside service will be held at 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 22, 2023 at Gibbs Chapel Wesleyan Church Cemetery with Rev. Cris Uren officiating.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.