Patricia "Pat" Crosby Woody

Arden- Patricia Ann Crosby Woody, 80, died Thursday, March 21, 2024 at her residence at Ardenwoods Retirement Community.

Pat was born in Knoxville and raised in Fountain City, TN. While she was the only child of Lon and Edith Crosby, she considered her early childhood friends Glenda McMillian and Janice Emge as sisters. After graduating from Central High School, Pat attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where she met her future husband, Charles Woody. With a degree in home economics and an emphasis in child development, Pat began a career in education that would span 30 years. In 1971, Charles’ job transferred the young couple to Asheville, NC, where they raised their three children. After almost 30 years of marriage, Pat became a widow in 1996 with Charles’ untimely death.

Pat is remembered by the big and small acts throughout her life that left the world a brighter, more kind and loving place. She had an amazing ability to bring optimism and joy to every season of life.

As the Director of the Child Development Center at First Baptist Church, she helped raise hundreds of children, providing a safe and enriching community for them to thrive and grow. Later, she transferred her skills to a vocational program at Asheville High School where she simultaneously ran a preschool and taught the next generation of childcare workers.

Pat’s strong faith motivated her, and she found the loving community of First Baptist Church as the place where she would dedicate much of her time and energy. From attending mission trips with the youth, serving as a Deacon, to being an active member of her Loyalty Sunday School Class, she made lasting contributions both with the friendships formed and the services she provided.

Pat’s gifts for hospitality and connecting people were felt and cherished by all. Her home was always a welcoming place for adults to gather on the back deck or the kids to sleepover in the basement. Later, she would open her house to fellow widows where they quickly became known as the “Merry Widows,” hosting annual Christmas parties. Pat’s gift of gracious hospitality was not limited to her home, as she welcomed, included and made comfortable all in her presence.

Pat thrived in retirement. She enjoyed many family trips, especially the annual beach week in Hilton Head. She also enjoyed the fun-loving company of Ron Bromley, driving to Knoxville to cheer on their beloved UT Vols, traveling to near and far-away destinations, or just sharing a meal after church. Pat ultimately moved out of the family home in 2020 and into Ardenwoods Retirement Community where she quickly made new friends and lived a very fulfilled and happy life right up until her death.

Pat’s greatest joys and most notable accomplishments were her children and grandchildren. Her delight for Woody, Pricey and Biz overflowed into every conversation. She treasured her role as grandmother. When her grandkids were young, she hosted them for an annual overnight camp that included “Camp Woody” t-shirts and eating lots of blonde brownies and sausage pizzas. From the day her first grandchild named her PatPat, she was forever known to anyone she met as such and proudly displayed this on her license plate.

Above all, Pat valued relationships and until the end was thinking of others. She understood that small acts and kind words could make someone feel love.

Pat is survived by her son, Charles David Woody Jr. (Kristen) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; her two daughters, Ann-Price Woody Thomson (Doug) of Arden and Elizabeth Woody Ford (Dan) of Arden as well as eight grandchildren, Brooks and Blair Woody, Sarah and Matthew Esker, Price Thomson, and Charlie, Anderson and Bennett Ford.

A Celebration of Pat’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at First Baptist Church of Asheville. A visitation for family and friends will be held at the church immediately following the service

As much as we will miss our dear PatPat, she knew the eternal hospitality of Heaven awaited and she was ready to be welcomed home. As we celebrate her life on April 6th, please feel comfortable wearing colors that reflect her vibrant love and the joy she brought to so many. Also, in lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider doing a kind act to share love and spread happiness: send a note of encouragement, take someone flowers, invite a friend over for a cup of tea, reach out to an old friend or make a new one, or linger at dinner and talk just a while longer. If you would like to make a donation in Pat’s honor, please do so to First Baptist Church of Asheville.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.