Patricia Vance Cosby passed away on Dec. 24, 2011.

 

    She was born in Abingdon, Va. and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.Gibson Parks Vance of Brookhaven. She graduated from BrookhavenHigh School, attended the University of Alabama, where she was thefirst freshman to be selected to the varsity cheerleading squad andwas affiliated with the Chi Omega Sorority. In 1938, she acted in”Stage Door” at the Barter Theater in Abingdon, Va. and became alife-long supporter of that theater.

    Pat moved to Johnson City in 1948, where her husband, Dr. Lewis F.Cosby Jr. “Luke” founded his practice of Pediatrics. She was acharter member of the Washington County Medical Auxiliary, theJunior Auxiliary, the Junior League and the Homeless Clinic. In1964, she was selected to the School Board Commission to integrateschools in Johnson City. She also served on the founding board ofthe Senior Citizens of Johnson City; helped found Meals on Wheel;was a member of the Dilettante Book Club; was a Founder of theF.O.F. Club; served on the Girls Incorporated Board; was Presidentof the Friends of the ETSU Museum; was President of Church WomenUnited; and served as Chair of the Johnson City PreachingMission.

    Pat was a lifelong member and an Elder of the First PresbyterianChurch in Johnson City. In 1956, she was instrumental in thefounding of the Board of World Missions for the church that sheserved until 2007. Along with her husband, she went to Haiti,Belize and Mexico as a part of the Church’s disaster response tothose areas. In 1986, she led the church’s association with theWest Main Christian Church. In The Holston Presbytery, she served18 years in their World Mission outreach. She received the LifeMembership Award from the Presbyterian Women in 1984.

    Pat was a devoted wife of her husband, Luke, and a proud mother ofher five children, Patricia and her husband, Jim Clark, ofKnoxville, Tenn.; Lewis III and his wife, Lydia Cosby, ofKnoxville, Tenn.; Dan Cosby, of Leasburg, N.C.; Valda and herhusband, Chuck Holyfield, of Flag Pond, Tenn; and Vance and hiswife, Donna Cosby, of Abingdon, Va. She equally loved her sevengrandchildren and their spouses: Tricia and John Lane, of Raleigh,N.C.; Stacie and Eric Hemmrich, of Hendersonville, Tenn.; DavidCosby, of Hendersonville, Tenn.; and Jamie Cosby, of Johnson City,Tenn; and her two great-grandchildren, Charlie and Eli Lane, ofRaleigh, N.C. They all gave her so very much joy. Other remainingrelatives are niece, Katherine Clark, of Glade Springs, Va.; niece,Rosalie Vance Miller, of Edenton, N.C.; aunt, Mrs. Mary DudleyPorterfield, of Glade Springs, Va.; and numerous cousins, nephewsand nieces.

    A friend once said, “Pat, you’ve spent your life as a cheerleaderfor your Lord,” and Pat said, ” That’s the nicest compliment I’veever gotten.”

    Donations in her memory are requested for the First PresbyterianChurch of Johnson City Local and Global Missions Outreach, 105 S.Boone St., Johnson City, TN 37601.

    A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 30, atFirst Presbyterian church, in the Sanctuary, 105 W. Boone St.,Johnson City, with receiving of friend one hour before.

    Memories and condolences may be shared with the family viawww.morrisbaker.com.

    Arrangements are entrusted to Morris Baker Funeral Home, 2001 E.Oakland Ave., Johnson City, TN 37601, (423)-282-1521.