Lucille Bailey Patrick, 68, resident of White Oak Farms, 1722 Deadfall Road W (P.O. Box 3044, Greenwood 29648), wife of William B. Patrick, Jr. died Sunday, February 20, at her home after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Lucy was born at White Oak, GA on Valentine’s Day 1943, the only child of James Perkins Bailey and Laura Walthall Bailey. She was a graduate of Erskine College, where she met her husband of 44 years. Lucy taught math for several years before working energetically to raise their four children and care for the youth of her church and the less fortunate of her community. She delivered Meals on Wheels for over 20 years; she taught at the women’s prison; faithfully served at the Greenwood Food Bank from its founding until after her health failed.
Lucy served several terms on the Board of Trustees of the Bonclarken Conference Center in Flat Rock, NC, where she was a visionary and advocate for effective youth ministry. At Bonclarken, she helped conceive and direct music/drama camps for kids, nature conferences for senior adults, and retreats for young adults. In recognition of her passion, wisdom, and visionary servant leadership, she was inducted into the Bonclarken Hall of Fame.
Over the years, Lucy loved and encouraged dozens of children and youth at the Greenwood Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, planning Appalachian mission trips and picnics on the Patrick’s farm. She has been called by many a second mother, a primary influence on their faith development, and an encourager during good and bad times. In 2010 she received The Julia Rhodes Award for Service from Erskine Seminary for a lifetime of service to the ARP denomination. Lucy was also a great gardener, seamstress, and cook. Many people will miss her daffodils, handcrafts, and Coca-Cola cakes, which she shared generously.
In addition to her faithful husband, Lucy is survived by four children: Elizabeth Patrick and her husband Bill Linderman of Bristol, TN; Banks Patrick of Phoenix, AZ; Rachel Patrick Turner and her husband Rob Turner of Balikesir, Turkey; and Grace Patrick Hunt and her husband Major Boyce Hunt of Beaufort, SC. Lucy also adored her five grandchildren: Daniel and Micah Turner; and Wade, Elec, and Lucy Hunt.
A memorial service will be held at the Greenwood ARP Church, 1635 Cokesbury Road at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. The family will receive friends at the church on Friday, Feb. 25, 2011 from 6 – 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Bonclarken Conference Center (500 Pine Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731) or Greenwood ARP Church (P.O. Box 49054, Greenwood 29649). Those wishing to share memories or express their condolences online may do so at www.blythfuneralhome.com.