Patricia Ann Kent

Patricia Ann Kent, 85, died peacefully at home in Murrells Inlet, SC, on Jan. 2, 2018. She was born July 11, 1932 to Alfred and Marguerite F. Kent in Denver, CO.

While attended UNC-Chapel Hill, she met and married Hoytt P. Griggs in 1954, who preceded her in death in 1969. She later married Claude Williams, who also preceded her in death. Patricia was a parishioner at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Murrells Inlet, SC.

Patricia was a teacher for 40 years in Virginia and North Carolina before retiring. She earned her masters degree in special education from the University of Virginia and spent the last 15 years of her career teaching special needs children. In her retirement, she started a small business, Tiny Tot Cakes, where she put her creative talents to use creating unique baby shower gifts. Her interests included crossword puzzles, sewing, crafts, and painting.

Patricia (Nana) had a huge heart, always looking out for her family and helping where she could. She looked to improve the lives of family members, students, neighbors, and animals. She always insisted that the family do things together from spending Christmas holidays, to a vacation at the beach, to attending graduations, weddings, and baby showers. She loved decorating and celebrating the holidays to include Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. Nana loved her family.

Patricia was preceded in death by her first husband, Hoytt P. Griggs; second husband, Claude Williams, and son-in-law, Roger Gower.

She is survived by her six children, Tom Horstman (Linda), Steve Griggs and Maggie Beddall, Andrew Griggs (Cindy), Neil Griggs, Camille Headrick (Rich), and Julia Gower; 14 grandchildren and their spouses; and 20 great-grandchildren.

A time of gathering was held on Jan. 7, 2 p.m. at Pine Forest Memorial Garden’s Chapel in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or a local humane society. Services handled by Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC, 27587.