Patricia Alphin Boyce

Patricia “Pat” Alphin Boyce passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving Day, a fitting day given the gratitude of so many for having known and loved her. Pat was known for her warmth, beauty, intelligence, and inner strength. She lived her life in partnership with her beloved husband, Gordon Eugene “Gene” Boyce, to whom she was married for over seventy years. Together, they built a life defined by love of family, travel, faith in God, and a shared commitment to doing what was right.

Born in Wendell, North Carolina in 1932, Pat was the daughter of Rob and Grace Alphin. She attended Broughton High School, where she excelled in academics and was crowned Miss Needham Broughton in 1950. During her senior year at Broughton, when she was at Rex Hospital recovering from an appendectomy, she met a young man, Gene Boyce. Two of her friends had come to see her and brought Gene along. When he entered the room and saw the girl with the bright blue eyes in blue satin pajamas, Gene knew she was his future bride. He asked her to go to a movie at Five Points and road his “Whizzer” bike over to pick her up. The rest was history.

Pat started her freshman year at Woman’s College (now UNC-Greensboro) but transferred to Wake Forest College her sophomore year. Pat quickly became one of the most admired young women on campus—gracious, capable, and deeply involved in student life. She was Secretary of the Student Body (while Gene was Student Body President), a member of Tassels honorary women’s leadership society, and a cheerleader (along with Gene). In 1954, Pat was elected May Queen of the Magnolia Festival.

Following her graduation from Wake Forest, Pat and Gene married in 1954 and began their long lives together in Raleigh. As Gene embarked on his distinguished legal career, Pat was his steady foundation, while raising three children, modeling, and serving on a host of community organizations. She dedicated herself to community service including the Junior Woman’s Club, the Raleigh Jaycettes, and as president of the Wake County Bar Association Auxiliary (now Friends of the Bar Association). Even in midlife, Pat went back to school to get her paralegal degree at Meredith where she was at the top of her class.

While Pat managed the demands of family life, she had her fun, too. She was an avid bridge player, and hardly ever missed her Lunch Bunch where for over forty years she met every Tuesday for lunch with friends Boots, Eleanor and Shirley. She also continued to cheer for her beloved Demon Deacons and either attended or watched as many WFU sports as possible. She and Gene likewise had a passion for travel, whether it was to Kerr Lake and Wrightsville Beach or around the world (twice!) with her Uncle Hubert Ledford and the Ledford Family. Pat was above all a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She took joy in the accomplishments of her family and found great happiness in their gatherings and trips. Her calm voice, radiant smile and kind blue eyes are what her family and friends will remember most about “Titah”.

Pat’s life centered around faith, family, and service. A devoted member of Hayes Barton Baptist Church, she shared her deep faith with gentle conviction. In later years, when she could no longer worship in person, she faithfully joined the services through the church’s television broadcast.

Pat is survived by her children Cathy Howard (Buddy), Dan Boyce (Betty), and Laura Isley (Philip); beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren; extended family; and a wide circle of dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Bob Alphin, and cherished husband, Gene Boyce, who died on October 28, 2025, only 30 days prior to Pat’s death.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Transitions LifeCare, Home Helpers Home Care and Dr. Todd Helton for their constant and compassionate care.

A memorial service will be held at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, on Friday, January 9th, 2026, at 11am, followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall. The service will be livestreamed at: www.hbbc.org/memorial-services

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Hayes Barton Baptist Church Television Ministry, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC, is serving the Boyce family.