Patricia Webb Pickering

Patricia Elizabeth Webb Pickering died on August 23, 2020 from complications of the COVID-19 virus. Patsy was born on August 6 in Chattanooga and recently celebrated her 90th birthday. She and her husband, Earl, were married 64 years. He passed away on June 2, 2020. Born to Ray Webb Sr. and his wife Margie, she loved to dance, take long walks on the beach, and visit with her grandmother in the country.

Patsy graduated from Girls Preparatory School in 1948 before attending the University of Chattanooga (UTC). She joined the Kappa Delta Sorority, was honored to be on the Homecoming Court, and graduated in 1953 with a B.S. in Home Economics. She often recalled sitting in a boring class while this football player was outside her classroom laughing and cutting up with his friends. She managed to catch his eye a time or two, but it wasn’t until Earl returned from the Korean War that their relationship grew into love. They were married on March 10, 1956, and she went to work raising a couple of boys. Because Earl’s mother was a seamstress by trade, he often teased Patsy about how he had to mend clothes although she majored in Home Economics. They joined Central Baptist Church in Woodmore where she taught children’s Sunday School for years and made many lifetime friends.

In 1968 Patsy went to work as a social worker for the Chattanooga City School System. She was an advocate for young children. Countless hours were spent finding shoes and clothes for needy elementary students. She helped get them tested so they could improve their classroom learning skills. She found doctors that would treat them. She met with parents in their homes and listened to their needs. It was her passion until she retired in 1989. Her coworkers were a close group. Even after retirement, they met monthly for lunch and called themselves the “sociable workers.”

In 1990 Patsy and Earl joined First Presbyterian Church. She was inspired by Ben Haden and the mission of Changed Lives. Patsy went weekly for years to help with circulation. Meanwhile Earl retired, and they started to travel. Some of their favorite destinations were Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Hilton Head, South Carolina. In Europe they couldn’t get enough of traveling by train and meeting tourists from all over the world. Patsy followed Earl on his hiking trails from the Rocky Mountains to the Alps in Switzerland and back again to the mountains of Tennessee.

As aches and pains crept into her aging life, Patsy always kept up with her family and friends. Phone calls were her specialty. The family would like to thank the many caretakers she had over the past couple of years. Special thanks to Shirley, Christina, Reba, and Cindy.

Survivors include her two sons, Gary (Alicia) Pickering and Steve (Maggie) Pickering; grandsons, Jacob and Shayne Pickering; brother, Ray (Allison) Webb Jr. and his son Michael (Sherree) Webb, cousin Ellis (Sahire) Mullinax; many nieces and nephews.

Patsy will be laid to rest in the Chattanooga National Cemetery beside the man that she could not live without. A celebration of Patsy and Earl’s life will be announced at a later date by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, TN.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.