Patricia Tyler Lare

COLUMBIA Surrounded by her family, Patricia Tyler Lare died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, August 31, 2014. Born in Miami, Florida, on April 20, 1944, she was the daughter of Colonel Catlin and Louise Webb Tyler and spent her childhood years in Richmond, Virginia. She graduated from Queens College in Charlotte, N.C., with a bachelor’s degree in English. Pat was born to be a teacher, and her impact and influence on the lives of countless young people will be long felt and remembered. Her first teaching position was in Richmond, but she soon moved to Columbia, S.C., with her first husband, Hoyt Burnett, Jr. Here she taught at Fulmer Middle School in West Columbia where she made some of her dearest life-long friends. Her beloved son, Hoyt Burnett, III, was born in 1974. She kept children in her home during his infancy and pre-school years. She then took a part-time job at Ft. Jackson in the Adult Education program. This position launched her career in the adult education field, and she soon became Assistant Director of Adult Education for Richland District One in Columbia. During these years she also completed her Master’s Degree in Adult Education from the University of South Carolina. She implemented a variety of initiatives, including a GED program, a high school diploma completion program, English as a Second Language courses, and extension services at Eau Claire High School, Ft. Jackson, and Olympia Learning Center. Her programs at Logan Adult Education Center served as a non-profit incubator for many other initiatives, such as Sistercare for abused women and their children. Pat served as president of the S.C. Adult Education Association. In addition, she taught college level adult education classes in the Columbia area. In 2002 Pat wanted to return to the classroom, and she was hired as the full-time substitute at Hand Middle School where she enjoyed her renewed role teaching middle school students. Throughout her years at Hand, her responsibilities expanded. Several times in the following years she was asked to serve as assistant principal when there was a need. While at Hand she was honored as the Substitute Teacher of the Year for Richland School District One. In 1989 Pat married her second husband, Marvin Lare, and they enjoyed a rich and rewarding life in Columbia where they participated in many community and cultural organizations, including Caught in the Creative Act and The Open Book series at USC, the SC Philharmonic, and especially their 30 year membership in their couples’ book club. They also served as a community host for students from other countries. Their spiritual life was greatly enhanced by their long-time active membership in Shandon United Methodist Church, where Pat was a member of the New Generation Sunday School Class and the Augusta Beckman Circle. As the wife of an ordained United Methodist minister, Pat was active in the Columbia District Spouses’ organization and served as treasurer for five years. Pat was known for her love of life and her adventurous spirit. Following college graduation she embarked on a 10-week odyssey, traveling across Europe with three of her college classmates, even behind the Iron Curtain into Communist Yugoslavia. In later years Pat and Marvin expanded their horizons with travel throughout Europe, in Australia, and New Zealand, and to Israel as well as to a variety of setting in the U.S. and Canada. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her grandchildren, Lucy Grace, Nathan, Millie, and Hunter. She learned to knit and delighted in making numerous caps, scarves, and sweaters for her grandchildren, friend’s grandchildren and other family members. Pat was very devoted to her immediate and extended family and made monthly trips to Richmond, VA, to visit and care for her 97 year old mother who still resides there. In addition, she enjoyed traveling with her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews on trips to Washington, D.C., and other historic sites in Virginia and New England. This younger generation of family credit their Aunt Pat with many of their career choices. Pat is survived by her husband, Rev. Marvin Lare; her son, Hoyt Burnett, III (Sarah), of Columbia; stepdaughters, Heather Muller (Tim) of Blythewood, and Carrie Lare of Asheville, N.C.; grandchildren, Lucy Grace, Nathan and Millie Burnett of Columbia and Hunter Muller of Blythewood; her mother, Louise Webb Tyler of Richmond, VA; her brothers, Webb Tyler (Donna) of Richmond, VA and Catlin “Kit” Tyler, Jr. (Jeanne) of Midlothian, VA; six nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. Pat was predeceased by her father, Colonel Catlin Tyler. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, September 4, 2014, at Shandon United Methodist Church with a reception to follow in Player Hall. A private interment will follow the reception. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Palmetto Health Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 7275, Columbia, SC 29202, the Seagull Camp Scholarship Fund, 218 Seagull Landing, Arapahoe, NC28510, or The Walter M. And Hannah H. Webb Family Foundations, ATTN: Gus Gerulskis, 136 Turnpike Road, Suite 120, Southborough, MA 01772.