Patsy Vick

Patsy Juanita Tomlinson Vick was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose life was marked by deep love for her family, her friends, and the community around her.

Visitation will be held at Marsh Swamp on Friday, April 17, from 11:00 - 11:45 AM in the Family Life Center. A Celebration of Life will follow at 12:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Entombment will held at 2:00 p.m. at Evergreen Memorial Park.

Patsy shared 45 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Durwood B. Vick, Jr.. Together, they built a life centered on family, faith, and meaningful friendships.

She is survived by her husband, Durwood B. Vick Jr.; her children, Jeff Lucas (Lily) of Lucama, Beverly Etheridge of Raleigh, and Tracy Collins (Adam) of Atlantic Beach. She was a proud grandmother to Hillary Ilgenfritz (Josiah), John Etheridge (Sarah), James Etheridge (Shelby), Josh Collins, and Peter Etheridge (Jacie), and a cherished great-grandmother to Judah, Cyprian, and Bonaventure. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her ten siblings, with her being the youngest and last remaining, and her son-in-law.

A dedicated member of Marsh Swamp Original Free Will Baptist Church, Patsy was deeply committed to her faith. She had a love for studying the Word and spent many years teaching Sunday School, faithfully pouring into others. She was also actively involved in the Women’s Auxiliary, receiving the Life Membership Award in 2017, as well as the Happy Hearts group, which she led for years. She could always be found at the Harvest Day Sale every November and always found such great joy in fellowship and service.

Patsy had a lifelong love of sports, from her younger years playing basketball to her time in bowling leagues, where she earned trophies and traveled with her team. That same enthusiasm carried into later life, where she could always be found on the sidelines faithfully attending her grandchildren’s games, recitals, and events, as well as showing up just as proudly for the grandchildren of her friends.

She deeply loved the beach and treasured her yearly family vacations at A Place at the Beach. Those weeks were filled with simple joys: reading by the pool, playing games with family, and taking her cherished sunset walks each evening.

A lifelong traveler, Patsy visited all 50 states. Alongside her husband Durwood and dear friends Elton and Juanita Gupton, she traveled to 49 of the 50 state capitals, creating memories and friendships that lasted a lifetime. In more recent years, before health challenges arose, she spent many evenings around the kitchen table playing Rummikub or cards with Juanita.

In her final months, she formed special bonds with her caregivers, Tinkie, Gloria, and Crystal, who not only cared for her but became dear friends to both her and Durwood. The family is deeply grateful for the love and companionship they provided, and for the compassionate care given by nurses Tammy and Lisa in her final days.

Contributions may be made in her memory to the Marsh Swamp Memorial Fund, 6504 Rock Ridge School Road, Wilson, NC 27893.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com