Obituary of Patricia Smith Wilson

Patricia “Pat” Smith Wilson, 88, of The Villages, Florida, passed away on February 11, 2024, in The Villages.

Pat was born in Appomattox, Virginia to George Melvin Smith and Margaret Wright Smith on January 22, 1936. She graduated from Granby High School in Norfolk, VA, and Madison College (now James Madison University) Class of 1958. Ever the storyteller, Pat led lifelong communication and endowment fundraising efforts on behalf of her class, for which she was honored by being inducted into JMU’s Blue Stone Society at their 50th Class Reunion. While at Madison, she met her future husband, Harold Kenneth Wilson on a blind date set up by their respective roommates. They married in August, 1958 and settled in Virginia where Pat began her teaching career and love of service to others, especially children. They moved to Greensboro, NC in 1967 where Pat taught biology at Southeast High School and later as a substitute across multiple schools through the 1990s.

Outside of her career, Pat and Ken spent summers and weekends embracing their family and love of the outdoors - camping, sailing, and RVing. Following Ken’s retirement, they spent many years leading motorhome tours across the United States and Canada, with a special fondness for Alaska and Newfoundland. They made friends wherever they went, and Pat embraced her faith by hosting Sunday School and serving as a lay pastor throughout their travels and the rest of her life. She was honored to recently bless the union of two centenarian friends by officiating at their wedding.

Pat and Ken moved full time to The Villages, Florida in 2002. She quickly adapted to a new lifestyle, taking up mahjong, bingo, and golf - and quickly hit her first hole-in-one. A love of oil painting blossomed at age 87. Beyond her games, travels, and crafts, she continued a love of service by volunteering for many charities and organizations to lift others. Underscoring her entire life was a fierce love of family and friends.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her four children, Kevin, Keith, Kay, and Karen, and her adored four grandsons, Kevin, Harrison, Noah, and Tanner. Anyone that ever met her has heard extensively about her family.

A celebration of Pat’s life will be held Friday, February 16, 2024, at 3PM at Hiers-Baxley Life Enrichment Center, 3975 Wedgewood Lane in The Villages, Florida with a reception immediately following. Pat will be laid to rest beside her parents in Lynchburg, VA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Heart of Florida Health Center, 2553 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, Florida, 34470 or by calling 352-732-6599 in Pat’s honor for the support of healthcare for homeless families.

The family wishes to extend their sincerest thanks to Dr. Nitza Alvarez of Tri-County Heart Institute and most especially to her beloved caregivers at Trinity Springs Assisted Living.