Obituary of Patty Duffield

Patty (Pat) Jean Duffield, age 83, passed away peacefully with her children at her side on December 29, 2020 due to complications of the COVID-19 virus. She was born December 9, 1937 in Barber County West Virginia to Edward and Virginia Corder. She met her husband at Potomac State College and married her longtime friend and love, James Robert Duffield, in August of 1959 who preceded her in death in 2015.

Pat graduated from Flemington High School, then attended Alderson Broaddus College for two years and obtained an Associate in Arts in Medical Secretary of Science.  When her children were in middle school, she attended East Tennessee State University where she received an Associate of Science in Nursing.  She was board certified in Tennessee and Georgia for Nursing where she practiced for several years.

Pat loved to be surrounded by family and friends.  She enjoyed traveling, playing cards, attending bible studies and Sunday school. She was always a very talented home decorator and crafter who loved to shop, paint, crochet and sew.  Recently, she regaled in dollar store crafts and made Christmas Gnomes and table decorations for this season. Pat also loved to peruse Facebook and was often posting recipes – that she rarely made, which made us all smile.  She was blessed to be healthy enough to enjoy her life fully until the end.  She said she needed to live – that she would be careful; but she’d go out shopping a little, enjoyed going to dinner with her close friends and saw her family.  She greatly missed being able to play cards and attend things in person – as she was so much a “people person”; and BOY does she have good “people”!  The outpouring of love from friends old and new has been amazing.  We could all hope to be as blessed.

Pat was a faithful and devoted Christian.  Her commitment was strong and her Christian devotion means that death is a transition from this life into eternal life.  Christianity teaches that God is eternal; this world came from God and will eventually return to God.  In that sense, this life is temporary.  Moreover, God created humans with immortal souls, so the death of a human being is not the end.  The body dies while the soul continues to live.  She said, when God came for her that she would be ready and that she would see us again.  We rejoice that she is with God and those that went before her; her parents, in-laws, husband and dear granddaughter Kasey Roper, as well as so many dear friends.  That knowledge gives us remaining here on Earth, some comfort during this difficult time.

Pat is survived by her sister Delores Sue Morgan; her three children and their spouses Dawn and Tom Steel, Debbie and Jay Doll, and Mike and Marilyn Duffield; grandchildren, Jordan (Chelsea) Steel, Jason Doll, Corinne Doll, Austin Duffield, Evan Duffield, Hayden Duffield and Katherine Duffield; plus 3 great grandchildren; Oliver Steel, Quinn Steel and Ava Lampkin, plus her nephews and nieces. All of these she loved and touched deeply and who will all miss her silly sayings and sweet smile.

Due to the pandemic there will be a small family graveside service on Monday 1/4/2021.  We are planning to have a Celebration of Life service for Pat in the summer as we hope that by then the world will be a safer place for gatherings of friends and family both near and far.  We would like to request that if you are someone that likes to send flowers to please do so for the summer celebration.  In lieu of flowers you may make donations in her name to St. Jude’s (www.stjude.org).