Patricia Elizabeth Powell Woolington, 85, of Starkville, Mississippi, went home to be with her LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST on 27 Aug 2023.
Pat was born 3 Oct 1937 to Elyria and Dudley Powell in Biloxi, Mississippi, the youngest and only girl of 4 children. She grew up living next door to her maternal grandparents in a working-class neighborhood. Her mother was a registered nurse and her father owned J D Powell Auto Body Works on Caillavet Street. All the Powell males were also skilled auto mechanics.
Pat enjoyed afternoons at Biloxi beach as well as Ramsey Springs, north of Biloxi. Through a local Methodist church, Pat met an airman from Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Jim Woolington, who had recently returned from Korea. Her parents gave permission for their 16-year-old daughter to marry Jim, under the stipulation that she finish high school. They married 8 Aug1954 in Biloxi. Pat attended Monticello (Illinois) High School in Jim's hometown during the 1954-1955 School year, then graduated May 1956 from Hattiesburg High School, while her husband attending the Mississippi Southern College (University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg campus).
Pat was a stay-at-home mother who “loved those 26 years as a total homemaker. It was exactly what I wanted to do. And I am grateful that I had the freedom to stay at home.” She took classes and demonstrated her creativity in cake decorating, ceramics, needlepoint, and making clothes for herself and her children. For two years, she coached the Starkville Swim team as well as taught Red Cross swimming lessons to handicapped children. She served as a member of the Oktibbeha County Hospital auxiliary and was a Girl Scouts troop leader while her girls were involved.
After her youngest started junior high school, Pat went to college in 1981. Because of the difficult transition to college life as a mid-life freshman, she founded the Mississippi State University (MSU) Association of Non-Traditional Students in 1983 to assist others navigate campus life. Pat graduated magna cum laude from MSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and was the first person to complete a certification in women’s studies at MSU in 1986. She continued her education as an undergraduate assistant while she earned a Master of Educational Psychology in 1987. Pat taught sociology at MSU, at East Mississippi Community College in Mayhew, and at Columbus (Mississippi) Air Force Base until her husband got sick in 2001.
Pat is survived by the children the LORD entrusted to her care: Jeanne (Scott) Finley of Augusta, GA, Randy (Leslie) Woolington of Sturgis, MS, and Robin (Kirk) Skinner of Dade City, FL. In addition to her children, she has seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a pre-born son, husband Jim, son Chris, and three brothers: Jimmy Powell, Tommy Powell, and Billy Powell.
A private graveside service will be held.
The family wish to express their deepest appreciation to the entire staff of Louisville Health Care, Louisville, MS, and to Quality Hospice Care, Inc of Philadelphia.
Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
Pat enjoyed afternoons at Biloxi beach as well as Ramsey Springs, north of Biloxi. Through a local Methodist church, Pat met an airman from Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Jim Woolington, who had recently returned from Korea. Her parents gave permission for their 16-year-old daughter to marry Jim, under the stipulation that she finish high school. They married 8 Aug1954 in Biloxi. Pat attended Monticello (Illinois) High School in Jim's hometown during the 1954-1955 School year, then graduated May 1956 from Hattiesburg High School, while her husband attending the Mississippi Southern College (University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg campus).
Pat was a stay-at-home mother who “loved those 26 years as a total homemaker. It was exactly what I wanted to do. And I am grateful that I had the freedom to stay at home.” She took classes and demonstrated her creativity in cake decorating, ceramics, needlepoint, and making clothes for herself and her children. For two years, she coached the Starkville Swim team as well as taught Red Cross swimming lessons to handicapped children. She served as a member of the Oktibbeha County Hospital auxiliary and was a Girl Scouts troop leader while her girls were involved.
After her youngest started junior high school, Pat went to college in 1981. Because of the difficult transition to college life as a mid-life freshman, she founded the Mississippi State University (MSU) Association of Non-Traditional Students in 1983 to assist others navigate campus life. Pat graduated magna cum laude from MSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and was the first person to complete a certification in women’s studies at MSU in 1986. She continued her education as an undergraduate assistant while she earned a Master of Educational Psychology in 1987. Pat taught sociology at MSU, at East Mississippi Community College in Mayhew, and at Columbus (Mississippi) Air Force Base until her husband got sick in 2001.
Pat is survived by the children the LORD entrusted to her care: Jeanne (Scott) Finley of Augusta, GA, Randy (Leslie) Woolington of Sturgis, MS, and Robin (Kirk) Skinner of Dade City, FL. In addition to her children, she has seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a pre-born son, husband Jim, son Chris, and three brothers: Jimmy Powell, Tommy Powell, and Billy Powell.
A private graveside service will be held.
The family wish to express their deepest appreciation to the entire staff of Louisville Health Care, Louisville, MS, and to Quality Hospice Care, Inc of Philadelphia.
Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
