Patricia "Pat" Garrison Chattaway

Our sweet beloved mother, Patricia "Pat" Garrison Chattaway was born on March 18, 1937 in Tampa, FL. She passed away on March 19 at home surrounded by loved ones. She was the daughter of the late Marvin and Marie Garrison, whom raised Pat and her little sister Michael Anne in Miami from their early childhood on. Our mom met our Dad when he skated into her life at the Polar Palace Ice Rink in Miami. They shared an extraordinary life together for over 50 years until his passing in 2016. She was a 4th generation Floridian and lived the life of a true Floridian, as when Irma was barreling towards us, she said..."Ok Goodnight, I'm going to bed." She slept right through the hurricane as she had done many times before over the past 8 decades. She was a first grade and Kindergarten teacher throughout her 40 year teaching career, receiving a Master's Degree in early elementary education, along with numerous other accolades through the Miami-Dade Public School system, Alpha Z Delta sorority, her University Baptist Church community, her First Sarasota Baptist Church community and many other groups and clubs that she was involved in from Miami to Western North Carolina, to Sarasota, where she and our Dad made their final home over the past 2 decades. She was a Sunday school teacher and a VBS teacher in both churches from Florida to NC. She volunteered at her local library and other community events with the same grace and passion as she did in her teaching career. She was a devout Christian and lived her life based on those principles with ease. Mom always put others in front of herself and carried with her an infectious smile and attitude that could turn the darkest days bright, just being in her presence. She enjoyed spending time with all her 6 grandchildren and loved each one of them dearly and spoke regularly about all their different personalitiy traits that she adored. A rainbow trailed behind our Mom as she walked through her path on this Earth drawing people to her like a magnet. She was eternally optimistic and could find a silver lining in every situation. A trait she easily passed along to generations down the line. She will truly be missed and loved by so many family and friends. We love you always and forever, Mom...Love, Your Family. Your Beloved Son and daughter, Paul Chattaway of Knoxville, TN and Carol Chattaway Parker of Sarasota, FL. Your beloved Daughter in law, Tracy Pruitt Chattaway of Knoxville, TN and your beloved grandchildren Ashley, Julie, Lance, Lee, Katie and John. Your beloved sister, Michael Anne Garrison Justice of Greensboro, NC and all of your other beloved family members who were blessed to have you in their life. Celebration of Life, Friday 3/23/18 at 11 am First Sarasota The Downtown Baptist Church, 1661 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34236, with reception following after service across the street in Annex Building.In lieu of flowers, please donate to local Habitat for Humanity.

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Patricia "Pat" Garrison Chattaway

March 18, 1937 - March 19, 2018