Grace Patrick of Zephyrhills, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Tuesday, August 27, 2024, two days shy of her 92nd birthday.

Born in Bald Creek, North Carolina, to the late Furman and Alice Willis Hensley, Grace, along with her four siblings, grew up working on her daddy's tobacco farm. From a young age, she was intent on leaving Yancey County.

As a young woman, Grace moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she met the love of her life, John Patrick. They married on July 12, 1957, and spent 44 wonderful years together before John unexpectedly passed away. While in Michigan, Grace worked as a waitress and a punch press operator.

John and Grace, with their two sons, moved to Zephyrhills in 1972 where she was a restaurant owner and cosmetologist at Walgreens. She and John owned and operated Sterling Heights RV Park for 20 years before finally retiring. During those 20 years, Grace was principally responsible for maintaining the property, acting as the plumber or electrician and doing any other kind of work needed. She and John made lifelong friends of those who lived there permanently and of those who came south for the winter months.

A devout Catholic, Grace joined St. Joseph's congregation soon after moving to Zephyrhills. She faithfully attended Mass as long as she was able.

Grace's life was not always an easy one as she battled a number of serious illnesses, including colon cancer in 2005, which she beat after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. In spite of her struggles, her joy and zest for life never diminished. Even in her final days, her signature laugh brought joy to those who loved her most.

Yes, that laugh! No one laughed longer and louder than Grace Patrick. Her laugh came from somewhere deep inside her. Whoever heard her laugh never forgot it. As children, her nieces and nephews heard it as she played with them in the front yard of their grandparents' house on the side of a mountain. Her brother and sisters heard it while working in the fields. Her friends and neighbors heard it. Her boys heard it as children and adults.

Anyone within "hearing" distance (a long distance!) heard it and laughed, for it was impossible not to laugh when Grace was laughing. When news of her death reached her family and friends, their first response was "we will never hear that laugh again here on earth."

Grace Patrick's life was well-lived. She loved BIG. Her favorite "hobby" was talking with people and listening to them. Her advice was always helpful. She firmly believed "once family, always family," creating an environment where all were made welcome.

Those left to remember her are her sons, John (Heather) Patrick of Zephyrhills and Tim Patrick of Tampa; her grandchildren, Johnna Patrick and Anders (Alison) Carey; and many nieces and nephews.

Welcoming her with great joy in heaven were her parents; her beloved husband; her siblings, Lola, Glen, Myrtle, and Martha; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Anna Patrick.

The celebration of Grace Patrick's life will take place Wednesday, September 4. The viewing will be from 9:00-10:00 A.M. at Hodges Family Funeral Home at 36327 Hwy 54, Zephyrhills, followed by the service at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 38710 5th Avenue, Zephyrhills. The graveside service will take place at Chapel Hill Gardens, 11441 US Hwy 301, Dade City.

In memory of Grace, contributions may be made in her name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Zephyrhills.