Patricia Sue Ellerbee

Patricia Sue Ellerbee, 81, of Stafford, Virginia, passed away quietly in her home, on Monday, September 5, 2022. She was born on December 8, 1940, in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Vertis and Aline Anderson.

Patricia’s love of the arts started at the early age of 4, when she started singing on live radio for The Christian Evangelism Fellowship, ran by her father. As a young child, her family moved to Australia for a short stay. She told us stories of walking down the streets seeing Koala Bears in the treetops. She found it curious that the milkman delivered by horse-drawn carriage. Soon thereafter, they moved to Los Angeles, where she continued performing with the CEF. Graduating from University High School afforded her access to great training in the arts.

Pat, as most call her, went to college on the other side of the country at Bob Jones University where she studied dramatic production. At the time, the college was very strict about attending Vespers, as well as having chaperones on dates. She met her husband, Terrell Ellerbee, while they were touring across the United States with a quartet singing in local churches. They married and lived in several places doing church work before settling down and having 3 children. They divorced in 1977.

At that time, Pat began working for the US Government as a clerk typist. She was offered a promotion that moved the family to Washington, D.C. Metro area, where she lived for many years. Her dedication afforded her many promotions and an assignment to the Washington Navy Yard where she finally reached the highest level of GS15. She was one of the first women to achieve that level, where she was writing and negotiating Defense contracts.

After retirement, she used her free time serving as Deacon in her local church, and even had a part-time job with the church. With her newfound free time, she began a search for love, finding it on E-Harmony with Michael Coleman, the love of her life. He was perfect for her. They lived, loved, laughed and traveled together for many years. Pat was crazy about the Washington Redskins, an obsession she shared with Mike. Because of Mike, she also learned to love the Washington Nationals baseball team. Her first love, however, was Starbucks, which Mike supported by bringing her favorite drink to her every day, without fail.

Patricia is preceded in death by her parents, Vertis and Aline Anderson; her ex-husband, Terrell Ellerbee; sister, Marcia Coffman; brother, Jerry Anderson; and niece, Sandy Coffman.

She is survived by her children, Timothy Ellerbee (Genevieve), Lisa Ellerbee (Eddie Cruz), Andrew Ellerbee; niece, Debbie Kalz; and her loving life-partner, Michael Coleman. Pat was also embraced and survived by Mike’s children, Christy Prince (Mike), Elizabeth “Beth” Tafani (John), and David. She also leaves behind Mike’s grandchildren who affectionately called her “Pat Nana”, and loved her very much.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mullinsthompsonstafford.com for the Ellerbee family