Patricia Vance Cosby

Patricia Vance Cosby passed away on December 24, 2011. She was born in Abingdon, Virginia and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gibson Parks Vance of Brookhaven, Mississippi. She graduated from Brookhaven High School, attended the University of Alabama where she was the first freshman to be selected to the varsity cheerleading squad and was affiliated with the Chi Omega Sorority. In 1938, she acted in 'Stage Door'? at the Barter Theater in Abingdon, VA and became a life-long supporter of that theater. Pat moved to Johnson City in 1948, where her husband, Dr. Lewis F. Cosby, Jr. (Luke), founded his practice of Pediatrics. She was a charter member of the Washington County Medical Auxiliary, the Junior Auxiliary, the Junior League, and the Homeless Clinic. In 1964, she was selected to the School Board Commission to integrate schools in Johnson City. She also served on the founding board of the Senior Citizens of Johnson City, helped found Meals on Wheels, was a member of the Dilettante Book Club, was a Founder of the F.O.F. Club, served on the Girls Incorporated Board, was President of the Friends of the ETSU Museum, was President of Church Women United, and served as Chair of the Johnson City Preaching Mission. Pat was a lifelong member and an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City. In 1956, she was instrumental in the founding of the Board of World Missions for the church which she served until 2007. Along with her husband, she went to Haiti, Belize, and Mexico as a part of the Churchs disaster response to those areas. In 1986, she led the churchs association with the West Main Christian Church. In The Holston Presbytery, she served eighteen years in their World Missions outreach. She received the Life Membership Award from the Presbyterian Women in 1984. Pat was a devoted wife of her husband, Luke, and a proud mother of her five children, Patricia and her husband, Jim Clark, of Knoxville, TN; Lewis, III and his wife, Lydia Cosby of Knoxville, TN; Dan Cosby of Leasburg, NC; Valda, and her husband, Chuck Holyfield of Flag Pond, TN; Vance and his wife, Donna Cosby of Abingdon, VA. She equally loved her seven grandchildren and their spouses: Tricia and John Lane of Raleigh, NC, Stacie and Eric Saunders of Raleigh, NC, Lewis, IV and Jenny Cosby of Knoxville, TN, Andy Cosby of Knoxville, TN, Kelly and J. B. Hemmrich of Hendersonville, TN, David Cosby of Hendersonville, TN, and Jamie Cosby of Johnson City, TN, and her two great-grandchildren, Charlie and Eli Lane of Raleigh, NC. They all gave her so very much joy. Other remaining relatives are niece Katherine Clark of Glade Springs, VA.; niece Rosalie Vance Miller of Edenton, NC.; aunt Mrs. Mary Dudley Porterfield of Glade Springs, VA; and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. A friend once said, 'Pat, youve spent your life as a cheerleader for your Lord'? and Pat said, 'Thats the nicest compliment Ive ever gotten.'? Donations in her memory are requested for the First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City Local and Global Missions Outreach, 105 S. Boone St., Johnson City, TN 37601 A Celebration of Life will be held, 11:00am, Friday, December 30, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church, in the Sanctuary, 105 W. Boone St., Johnson City, with receiving of friends one hour before. Read more: http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Obituaries/article.php?id=31541#ixzz1hloAdSLE