On March 2, 2021, Patricia Thomas Bibb lost her battle with cancer and joined her heavenly Father. Patricia was born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1936. She was the daughter of James Royce and Eunice Phelps Thomas.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Manley Orr; three sisters, Martha (Omer) Theriault, Clarice (Bob) Padgett, and Erolyn (Harold) Church and four brothers Johnny Crozier, Buddy (Joyce) Thomas, Wesley (Ernestine) Thomas, Bo (Margaret) Thomas, and Charlie Thomas.
She is survived by her youngest brother, Robert (Pat) Thomas of Hendersonville, North Carolina and sisters-in-law Dora Thomas of Tucson, Arizona and Nancy Crozier of Hendersonville, North Carolina. With six brothers it is safe to say little Patsy was spoiled and protected!
As a child, Patricia grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and Hendersonville, North Carolina. She attended Anderson College and graduated from Carson Newman College with a teaching degree. Upon graduation, she made the adventurous move to Denver, Colorado for her first teaching assignment. Soon after, she met Wayne F. Bibb at the USO, whom she married in Hendersonville, North Carolina after a short courtship in 1959. Wayne and Pat were blessed with four children: Catherine (Paul) Justice, Cynthia (Thomas) Brooks, Roy (Tiffany) Bibb, and Patricia (Doug) Kruse. Together they raised their children in Denver, Colorado, Atlanta, Georgia, Merritt Island, Florida, Barstow, California and Hendersonville, NC.
Patricia’s passion was in education where she taught primary grades. She enjoyed her younger students and loved them as her own. She also took pride in her elaborate bulletin boards, for which she volunteered her four children.
Pat delighted in her many grandchildren whom she dearly loved – in order of oldest to youngest: Joshua (Stephanie) Justice, Lindsay (Matt) Brooks Snyder, Andrea Brooks, Jonathan (Mallory) Justice, Kimberly Brooks, Megan Kruse, Jordan Justice, Zachary Bibb, Katie (Logan) Kruse Oakley, Gabby Bibb and Ethan Kruse. Pat spent many hours caring for her grandchildren. Joshua and Stephanie were the first to provide Pat with three sweet great-grandchildren: Timothy, Charlotte, and William. Pat’s granddaughter Lindsay, and husband Matt are expecting to deliver their first, another great-granddaughter in March, 2021.
Pat was also blessed with the company of Junior, her beloved poodle and best friend.
The celebration of life will be Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at East Flat Rock Baptist Church in East Flat Rock, North Carolina.
The family has entrusted Jackson Funeral Service with the arrangements. Condolence cards may be sent to the family in care of Jackson Funeral Service PO Box 945 Hendersonville, NC 28793.