Patricia Gray Bean

Ms. Patricia Bean was born August 18, 1945, in Columbia, SC and passed away peacefully Monday, January 6, 2025, with her son Kevin by her side. Pat was the daughter of the late Paul and Maudine Crout Taylor.

Ms. Bean was a longtime Tampa resident, who earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology (Magna Cum Laude) from Winthrop University and earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of South Florida.

Ms. Bean dedicated her life to public service, working with small governments most of her life to include the City of Greensboro - NC, New York City, the City of Tampa and finally Hillsborough County. Ms. Bean accepted a job with the City of Tampa as Recruiting Chief for Tampa’s Civil Service Board and later accepted a job with Hillsborough County as Director of Employee Services Department. Ms. Bean was the first woman to head a Hillsborough County department. Ms. Bean held many different roles during her time working for Hillsborough County. Ms. Bean left Hillsborough County in 2010, after 33 years of service, and having served as the County Administrator since 2003. Ms. Bean was the first woman to serve as County Administrator for Hillsborough County.

Ms. Bean also volunteered her time while working to support numerous organizations and represent Hillsborough County outside of her normal duties. These include her being the President of the National Association of County Administrators, the International City/County Management Association, American Society for Public Administration, Evaluator – Innovations in American Government Awards – Harvard University, ICMA-RC National Advisory Board, Chair – Emergency Food and Shelter Board, National Association of Counties Task Force for Early Childhood and School Readiness, National Advisory Board – Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Committee for Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserves, Board of Directors – Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa, Inc., Executive Committee – Museum of Science and Industry Foundation, Board of Directors – Tampa Bay History Center, Florida Association of Counties – Social Service Executives, Florida Refugee Advisory Group, Florida Alcohol Drug Abuse and Mental Health Planning Council, Governor’s Health Care Work Group, Network of Executive Women, Leadership Florida, Leadership Tampa, United Way, Winthrop’s Leadership Advisory Board, Tampa General Hospital Auxiliary Volunteer Officer and Parkland Estates Civic Association.

Ms. Bean received numerous honors for her work with the County and for service outside the County. These include Innovations in American Government Award, Picot B. Floyd Award for Outstanding Public Service, Excellence in Government Award, 2007 Tampa Bay Government Woman of the Year, Chief Judges Award, Outstanding Public Administrator’s Award, Community Health Partnership Award, United Way Outstanding Leadership Award, Civic Achievement Award, Friend of Extension Award, Friends of the Library VIP Award.

Outside of work, Ms. Bean enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, art shows, concerts, theatre and sporting events.

Pat is survived by her sons Clifton and Kevin Gray, Sister-In-Law Willette Taylor of Gilbert SC, many cousins, nieces, and grand nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Pat Bean, 79, will be conducted at 1:00 PM, Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, 500 W. Platt St, Tampa, FL 33606. A graveside service will take place on Saturday January 25, 2025 at 1:00PM in the Gilbert United Methodist Church 510 Main St. Gilbert, South Carolina 29054.

Flowers can be sent to Hyde Park United Methodist Church for the ceremony or donations can be made to the Joshua House, a safe haven for children and teens in need, through the website friendsofjoshuahouse.org or by sending a check to Joshua House P.O. Box 2451, Lutz, FL 33548.