Patricia Stacy

Patricia (Pat) Lester Stacy, of Bluefield, 76, formerly of Grundy, passed away Saturday, March 26th, 2011, in Miami, Fla., following a brief illness. She was born on June 6, 1934, in Grundy, to the late Cornelius Lester and Vallie Wallace Lester. She graduated from Grundy High School in 1952. She enrolled at Radford College and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education in 1956. She began her career as an elementary education teacher in Pulaski County, and taught school for a total of 27 years in Southwest Virginia, with the last 21 years of her career having been spent at Graham Intermediate School in Bluefield, Virginia. A lifelong learner, she continued her own education by earning a Master of Arts degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, from Virginia Tech in 1982. In recognition of her outstanding dedication to her chosen profession, she was inducted into Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional honorary society for women in education, in 1972. Pat loved learning and teaching and took great pride in the accomplishments of all her students. Pat’s greatest joys were spending time with her large family, reading, working her puzzle books, long naps, and having a trip on the calendar to look forward to. She will be remembered for her caring and kind nature, her devotion to her family, and her advocacy for education, especially for women. She was especially proud of the fact that all of her children graduated from college. She is survived by her devoted and loving spouse of 55 years, John Stanley Stacy of Bluefield; seven children, Sarah Stacy Wall and her husband, Thomas, of Roanoke; Lucinda Stacy Backus of Winston-Salem, N.C.; Melinda Stacy Fanning and her husband, Ed, of Bluefield; John Lewis Stacy and his wife, Cynthia, of Bluefield, Nancy Stacy Hodges of Roanoke; Margaret Stacy Macher of Roanoke; and Charles Andrew Stacy, and his wife, Melissa, of Bluefield; 16 grandchildren, Alex Wall, John Clayton Backus, Jordan Backus, Eddie Fanning, Patrick Fanning, Stacy Fanning, John Stanley Stacy, II, Sarah Stacy, Rachel Stacy, Ashleigh Hodges, Ryan Hodges, Roland Macher, Lauren Macher, Patrick Macher, Nickelas Stacy and Caroline Stacy; and 2 great grand-children, Eddie Fanning IV, and Aidan Hodges. She is also survived by two sisters, Kathleen L. Edwards of Alexandria, and Brenda L. Sprinkle of Abingdon; and two brothers, Robert V. Lester of Wytheville, and Henry W. Lester of Roanoke. Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends will also miss her. Pall Bearers will be her ten grandsons. Because of Pat’s love of teaching, her love of reading, and her love for children, the family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Patricia L. Stacy Library Fund at Graham Intermediate School in Bluefield, Va. The family will receive friends at Mercer Funeral Home in Bluefield, West Virginia from 6p.m. to 8p.m. on March 31, 2011. A Christian wake service will be held at 8:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bluefield, West Virginia on April 1, 2011 at 11 a.m. with Fr. Paul Wharton as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens. There will be a Celebration of Life at John and Pat’s home on Friday, April 1, 2011 beginning at 6pm. Those wishing to share memories with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Patricia L. Stacy.

Patricia Stacy

June 6, 1934 - March 26, 2011