Patricia Fleischer Rollins

Patricia “Patty” Fleischer Rollins, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 78, on November 27, 2025, in Louisville, KY. Born in Chicago, IL to the late Howard Fleischer and Elizabeth “Betty” (Ball) Fleischer, Patty lived in St. Paul, MN, Westfield, NJ and graduated from high school in Fort Worth, TX. While earning her Bachelor’s degree at the University of North Texas, Patty met and married Garry Rollins, her husband of 57 years. Garry left 3 months later to serve in Vietnam.

Patty worked for the University of North Texas, then for the University of Minnesota to help Garry complete graduate degrees. In Minneapolis, Patty and Garry attended a house church, and became deeply committed to their faith in Jesus. Their love of God and desire to share this with others led them to live in intentional community with other believers while in Minneapolis, and to spend the rest of their lives building communities of believers wherever they lived.

In Tallahassee, FL, where Garry taught at Florida State University, Patty stayed home with their 2 daughters, Sarah and Emily. Patty and Garry were involved in a campus ministry and formed close friendships that have lasted their entire lives. They decided to go into full time ministry and moved to Knoxville, TN for Garry to complete a bible degree at Johnson Bible College. After Knoxville, they moved to Louisville, KY where Garry pastored at Clifton Christian Church for 18 years.

While living and working in the Clifton neighborhood of Louisville, Patty was a very active pastor’s wife, serving in children’s and women’s ministries, summer camps, women’s retreats and hosting people regularly in their home. She worked at the Kentucky School for the Blind as a teacher’s aid and found her niche working with people with disabilities. After moving to Jackson, MS, Patty became a certified teacher and taught at the Mississippi School for the Blind. Another move back to Knoxville led Patty to be an itinerant vision teacher in Knox County, TN, where she retired after working with visually impaired children for 27 years in 3 different states.

Patty is survived by her husband, Garry Rollins, her devoted sister, Christy (Fleischer) Lowe, daughters Sarah (Joel) Rollins Nussbaum, Emily (Andy) Rollins Kulp, grandchildren Evan and Jaylyn, Odin, Milo and Penelope: along with nieces, nephews and a host of beloved friends who became her extended family (Mark 10:28-30).

Patty will be remembered as a kind, loving servant who was a dear friend to all manner of people from all walks of life. She always invested in others. She loved being in nature, surrounded by God’s creation, and participated whole heartedly in church communities wherever she lived. We're grateful for all the lives she touched.

Please join us in celebrating Patty’s life at a memorial service to be held at Sojourn East Church in Louisville, KY on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Patty to the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation, 214 Haldeman Ave., Louisville, KY 40206.