Patricia Lorraine Reed

Patricia Lorraine Ashby Reed October 21, 1922 - February 15, 2012 The daughter of Max and Edith Ashby, Patricia Lorraine was born in the copper mining town of Bisbee, Arizona on October 21, 1922. She had a wonderfully happy childhood roller skating in Warren Park, listening to her Grandpa White's stories, and picnicking in the Huachuca Mountains with her family. Pat loved going to her uncle's ranch in St. David with her cousin George, and spent many memorable times in Bisbee with her mother, father, two sisters, grandfather, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She attended grammar school in Bisbee, and graduated from Warren Mining School District's Junior High School in 1937. It was while attending ninth grade at Bisbee High School that Pat met the love of her life, William Edward Reed. Pat and Bill dated throughout high school and were married on March 31, 1941. They had three children, William Arthur, Richard Alfred, and Patricia Dianne Reed. When Bill joined the Seabees in 1943, Pat kept a prayerful vigil at home working for the local Bisbee Telephone Company. Soon after Bill was discharged from the Navy in 1946, they moved their family to China Lake Naval Weapons Center in California. Pat was hired by her dear friend, Opal Goode, to work at Bank of America on the base. After working 15 years in banking, she worked the next 7 years as a secretary in the Navy Chaplain's Office. They moved to Bakersfield in 1969 when Bill retired on disability. It is truly a testimonial to Pat and Bill's love and devotion that they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on March 31, 2011. Pat passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Edward; her son, Richard Alfred who died at birth; her mother and father, Edith and Max Ashby; and a cherished list of relatives who gave her such a treasured heritage. She is survived by her devoted son and daughter William Arthur Reed and Patricia Dianne Reed; her sisters and brothers-in-law Maxine and Bill Spurlock and Marguerite and Neil Johnson; her grandchildren William Edmund and his wife Lisa Reed, Suzanne Reed and her husband Diego Hernandez, and Lucinda Reed and her partner Raymond McDermand; her great grandchildren Emelia, Lila, and Fountain Reed, and Carolina and Jaime Hernandez; her eleven nieces and nephews and their extended families along with countless friends who were blessed to know her. The family would like to thank Dr. James Saiki, MD, and the Mercy-Memorial In- Home Health Care staff, nurses, and aides for taking such loving care of Pat for over 11 years, and the Mercy Hospice staff, nurses, and aides for their support and attentiveness during Pat's final days here on earth. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church's Worship Center, 4600 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA on Saturday, March 10, at 11:00 am. Private family burial services will be held at the Bakersfield National Cemetery. Pat will be laid to rest with her husband, Bill, on March 30 the day before their 71st Wedding Anniversary. For more information, please contact Alma Funeral Home, (661) 638-0444. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice, 1600 D Street, Suite 202, Bakersfield, CA 93301, or the charity of your choice . www.bakersfield.com/obits

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