Mrs. Mary Patricia "Pat" Andrews' Obituary
Mary Patricia “Pat” Andrews, age 64 of Madison, passed into the arms of the Lord on May 13, 2015. Pat was born in Memphis, TN on September 8, 1950 to the late Marvin (Bud) and Lorraine Carter. She was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother.
Her family recalls that Pat was at once strong-willed and kind. Her daughter-in-law Beth remembers her as “the most loving and kind person I’ve ever been around.” Pat’s only son, Andy, says that she “was also the toughest person I knew.” Pat survived breast cancer and thyroid cancer, and was the second Vanderbilt patient to be implanted with a heart device known as an LVAD, a left ventricular assist device. It was something new at the time, but it is used routinely today.
As a very young woman, Pat put her son, Andy, up for adoption. She then went on to complete her nursing degree. She then met George, the man she would spend the rest of her life with. The day after their wedding, George was deployed to Viet Nam, where he would serve for one year. Upon his return, the young couple hardly recognized each other, but were just as in love as they were on their wedding day. “We didn’t really have a honeymoon then. So, we had a late, late honeymoon to Hawaii,” says George. The couple fell in love with the Polynesian culture and went back to Hawaii seven more times in their years together. “It felt like home,” George remembers.
In 2005, Pat’s son Andy found her. It was a joyous family reunion, and Pat was thrilled to have found her only child and have him back in her life, along with his wife and their children – her grandchildren. She loved her family very much.
Pat is survived by her husband of 43 years, George Andrews, III; son, Andy Smith (Beth); sisters, Ginger Phillips and Barbara Jeter; and grandchildren, Nathan Smith and Hannah Smith.
Pat’s family will receive friends and visitors on Monday, May 18, 2015, from 11am until 1pm at Spring Hill Funeral Home. Pastor Gary Ferrell will lead a Celebration of Life service to honor Pat the same day, at 1pm from the Chapel of Spring Hill Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Historic Spring Hill Cemetery, with family and friends serving as pallbearers.
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