Sylvia Brown Patrick

Jan. 20 1939- Dec.16, 2014 Sylvia Brown Patrick, age 75, died peacefully at her home on December 16, 2014, in Birmingham, Alabama. Sylvia was born in Birmingham, on January 20, 1939. She is a graduate of Phillips High School where she was voted most talented. She attended Birmingham Southern and graduated Auburn University with a B.A. in Psychology and minor in English. After graduation she worked as assistant director of youth services at the YWCA. Sylvia has always loved to sing and dance. Throughout her life she has performed and taught performing arts across Birmingham. Sylvia spent countless hours devoted to civic and charitable causes. Among other things, she was involved the Birmingham Music Club, The Cherokee Rose Garden Club, Birmingham Symphony Association, Birmingham Bar Auxiliary, the Antiquarian Society, Silhouettes and served on the board of Spain Rehabilitation. Sylvia enjoyed life to the fullest and was happiest when surrounded by her friends, family and especially her grandchildren. She was funny, gracious and the consummate hostess. The youngest of 7 children, Sylvia was predeceased by her parents, Allen Tanner Brown and Odessa Spradley Brown and her siblings. She is survived by her loving husband, J. Vernon Patrick, whom she married in 1965, their two daughters, Katherine "Kathy" Patrick Grimes and Virginia "Ginger" Patrick DeGeurin (Michael) as well as her granddaughter, Hannah DeGeurin (15) and three grandsons, Benjamin Grimes (16), Nicholas Grimes (13) and Charles DeGeurin (7). She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, as she was the last surviving sibling of seven children, and many, many friends. On Saturday, December 20th the family will receive visitors beginning 10:00 a.m. in the parlor at Independent Presbyterian Church, Highland Avenue South, with funeral services to follow at 11:00 a.m. in the church sanctuary; Cary Speaker and Lucy Turner officiating. Graveside services to follow immediately afterwards at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to The Muscular Dystrophy Association , P.O. Box 97075 Washington, D.C. 20090 or www.mda.org donation in memory of Sylvia Patrick.