Patricia Louise Johnson graciously shared those words with those she loved, and that's exactly what Patty did over her 81 years on this earth.
Patty, known as "Lou" to friends and colleagues and "Mama Pat" to those closest to her, died Jan. 20 in Montgomery, Alabama, due to complications from hip replacement surgery.
Born Nov. 2, 1932, Patty met the love of her life, Billie D. Johnson, in 1950 at Colorado State University. Bill, having taken a fraternity pledge initiation vow not to talk to girls, could not resist Patty's charms. He broke that pledge, leading to a loving marriage that lasted 58 years.
Patty joined Bill on a lifelong adventure where Bill's career as a U.S. Navy officer and pilot took them to ports from Virginia to Hawaii.
Patty raised four children through many military deployments. Each continues to embrace her motto to live their lives in their own way. Son Wesley is a journalist, son Daniel is an airline captain, son Matthew is a successful businessman and daughter Jeannie is a respected Realtor.
Patty loved to travel with Bill. Together they visited 45 countries and brought back memories that allowed family and friends to travel right along with them.
However, Patty shared much more than memories. She was a beloved member of Montgomery's Red Hat Society, and a past president of the American Business Women's Association.
Patty also imparted her knowledge of American culture with the wives of international military officers who were on extended stays at Maxwell Air Force Base. She helped many of the international wives learn to speak and write basic English and earned a worldwide following of friends through the cooking classes she put together through the international wives organization at Maxwell AFB.
Since 1994, Patty and Bill also hosted 33 international officer families visiting Maxwell AFB from 10 foreign countries ranging from Sweden to Iraq, Bolivia to Kazakhstan. They learned to appreciate American customs and Alabama culture, thanks to Patty's generous spirit.
Patty was the Johnson family's gentle guiding force. Thanks to her, her grandchildren open doors for women and the elderly, know how to set a proper table, feed birds in the back yard and know to say please and thank you and write thank-you notes.
Patty was a lifelong gardener who passed on her love of plants and all things living to her children and grandchildren. During a recent trip to Hawaii, Patty brought a tiny plumeria plant home to Montgomery. Like all she touched, it thrived under her care and blooms each summer in her back yard.
Mama Pat is survived by her husband Bill, sisters Marianne Pearce and Sylvia Johnson, and brother Eddie Clute; four children, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Her funeral will be 1 p.m. Friday at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home in Montgomery, with viewing from noon to 1 p.m. A private burial will take place Monday at Barrancas National Cemetery at NAS Pensacola.
In lieu of flowers, It was Patty's wish that generous donations be made to the Montgomery Area Food Bank, www.montgomeryareafoodbank.org.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18