Patti was born on February 15, 1931 in Roanoke Rapids, NC to Carroll Lewis Wilson and Mary Davenport Ashford Wilson.
Until the day she passed, Patti radiated grace, dignity, and good humor.
Patti was an only child who lived in Roanoke Rapids for 17 years where her father was editor of the Roanoke Rapids Herald. She excelled academically and served as editor-in-chief of her high school newspaper. When she was a high school senior, her parents moved to Winter Park, Florida where she made an immediate impact, becoming editor of her high school year book while also being recognized as “Most Attractive” in her class.
Patti attended Duke University during which time she pledged Pi Beta Phi and changed her major four times. A friend convinced her after two years to transfer to the University of Florida which, incidentally, was in the process of going co-ed so was still overwhelmingly male. After two “glorious” years at UF, Patti graduated with a degree in Education, but not before changing her major twice more.
It was in Florida while on an Army assignment that 1LT James L. Kelly, a Catholic Northerner, met and fell in love at first sight with Patti, the stunning Presbyterian Southern Belle and aspiring TWA stewardess. Fortunately, Patti was more decisive about Jim than she was about selecting a major and, despite their very different backgrounds, denominations, and temperaments, Patti agreed to marry Jim after a brief courtship. She later admitted that she knew Jim was the man for her when she discovered that he kept a Bible in his car along with a photo of his mother. With the grace of God, Patti and Jim forged a loving and fruitful sixty year partnership that lasted until Jim’s death in 2014.
During Jim’s thirty year military career, Patti followed him across the globe from one Army post to another, with their rapidly expanding family in tow (seven children in nine years!). Despite the challenges of military life, Patti remained the consummate and selfless Army wife and mother, dutifully supporting her husband’s career while lovingly and skillfully and patiently raising eight children--often single-handedly--while Jim was deployed to Vietnam and parts unknown. No matter the hardships, Patti radiated a joyful attitude and performed even the most menial tasks in a cheerful, uncomplaining manner, all while looking beautiful and perfectly coiffed. She was legendary for putting the needs of others first and treating all people, regardless of their station in life, with warmth and respect.
When Jim retired from military service in 1980, Patti told the “General” that she would pick their next “assignment”, and she wisely selected Charlotte as their permanent home, where they lived happily ever after. Patti made many friends in the Sharon Woods and Cypress of Charlotte communities. She was a devoted member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church for more than 40 years. She cherished her many friendships with her P.E.O. sisters.
Patti was a voracious reader with a rapier wit who devoured biographies and novels at an astounding rate. She loved to read and write poetry, and she applied her impressive artistic talents to master calligraphy, with which she crafted the most beautiful and thoughtful hand-written cards and notes to family and friends.
Up to the very end, Patti looked much younger than her years. Her inner beauty accentuated her physical beauty. No one who saw Patti could believe that she could possibly have given birth to and raised eight children. When Patti was 89 years old, her 58 year old son was mistaken for her husband, much to his chagrin.
Patti is survived by seven adoring children: Kate Midden of Melbourne, Florida; John C. Kelly (Anne) of Wilton, Connecticut; Patrick E. Kelly (Kathy-Line) of Charlotte; Col. (Ret.) Paul W. Kelly (Vicki) of Saint Robert, Missouri; Stephen P. Kelly (Lisa) of Charlotte, COL (Ret.) Thomas L. Kelly of Columbia, South Carolina; and Mary Shannon Kelly of Sonoma, California. Patti is also survived by nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim, and her eldest son, MSGT (Ret.) James L. Kelly, Jr. (Jill), of Springfield, Virginia.
Patti and the family are grateful to the many caregivers at the Cypress who showed her such tender loving care in her final years and who became her second family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28210, or a charity of the donor's choice.
A Funeral Mass and Rite of Committal will be held on Friday, August 19, 2022 at 1:30 PM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6828 Old Reid Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28210. A reception will follow at The Cypress Clubhouse, 3442 Cypress Club Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28210.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com for the Kelly family.
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