Patricia M Varnell

Patricia Varnell, passed away, Monday, January 27, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. She was known by many names to all who knew and loved her. She was Pat, Miss Pat to her kids from years of teaching Sunday School and delivering Children’s Sermons, and Mrs. Varnell to the hundreds of children she taught over the years in the public school system. However, her favorite title was Murmur, her pet name given to her by her eight grandchildren. In fact, her closest friends and family all called her Murmur.

She was born to William J. and Marguerite McCune in Border, TX on January 6, 1932, but please don’t tell her you know that as she maintained until the end that she was only 29 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters, Joan McCune and Maclyn Gooch, her two nieces, Delaine and Vangela Gooch, as well as her husband of 48 years, Earl L. Varnell.

She is survived by her sons, Phillip, Barry (Susan) and Gregory Varnell, her grandchildren, Bryan and Allison Varnell, Jordan (Stan) Burch and Taylor (Jake) Patterson, and Jack, Luke, Sophia,and Sam Varnell, and her great grandchildren (who would get so excited to see their Murmur), Keller and Margaret June Patterson, and Stryker, Blade and, soon to arrive, Delaynee Rae Burch. She is also survived by her nephews Patrick (Cheryl) and William (Greta) Gooch and several great nieces and nephews, her sisters-in-law, Betty Sue Silvers, Shirley Ann Cox, Barbara Lamb and Sammie Jo Bethune. And we would be remiss not to mention her dear friend, Frances Dickerson, who stayed with her more nights than we can count during the last six months.

Patricia was a member of Silverdale Cumberland Presbyterian Church since the age of 15. She loved her Lord and her church and served both faithfully right up to the end. She loved singing in the choir.

She was a public school teacher for many years, most of which were spent at Bess T. Shepherd Elementary School. The family is constantly asked, upon learning our last name is Varnell, if we are related to their favorite teacher, Mrs. Varnell. Many of them have told us that she inspired them to become a teacher, too!

She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society for Women Educators, the James County Historical Society, as well as the local Bell Club. We couldn’t ever resist asking her if she was headed to the ding-a-ling club meeting.

She was a long time member of the Hamilton Place YMCA and attended the water aerobics classes there until about a year and a half ago. She has a huge circle of YMCA friends that she did social activities with until about 4 weeks ago.

She was an advocate for the local Alzheimer’s Association and has helped many families learn how to care for their recently diagnosed loved ones. She attended monthly support group meetings for twenty years, since the passing of her husband, Earl, who suffered with that dreaded disease.

She has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the local Alzheimer’s Association. Their address is 7625 Hamilton Park Drive # 6, Chattanooga TN 37421.

Visitation times will be from 4 PM till 8 PM at Silverdale Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Thursday, January 30, and Friday, January 31, from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Her Celebration of Life service will begin at 1:00 PM in the church sanctuary with Rev. Cliff Hudson officiating. Interment will follow in Tyner Cemetery.

Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com

Arrangements by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.