Patricia Evelyn Aldridge

Patricia Evelyn Aldridge, 88 of Savannah TN died Saturday September 7th. She loved life, was smart and accomplished…and she was always very proper. Patricia was a woman of extraordinary faith and grace. Her passion in life was being in the presence of the Lord. She loved to pray for people. When she prayed, you could be certain that answers were on their way. Her prayers were heard in the heavenly realm.

The other thing she couldn't get enough of was time with her family. She cherished every moment spent with them. Pat was fond of saying; “I wish we could all live in a wad”. She loved her family and showed it in many ways. She was always ready to lend a hand doing anything that was needed. She would make her family their favorite meals and desserts, which were always a hit! She was also a wonderful seamstress making things even without patterns.

 She was also very competitive when playing games. Another side of her would come out, which would cause us all to grin. Once, she and her youngest daughter played a trick on her husband and son-in-law and stacked the deck of cards against them when they went into another room to watch some football. I thought she was going to split her side from laughing so hard. She was so giddy. I think it was the first time she was ever devious. When the guys came back, she couldn’t help but let the cat out of the bag! 

Patricia was very gifted musically. She played the organ and piano and she also taught piano. She once told her youngest daughter during her piano lessons “not everyone is meant to play the piano”! And that was the end of that! She also sang opera. Her joy was playing worship music on the piano. It always brought such peace to our home. She also played at church on a regular basis. 

Did I mention her passion was the Lord and prayer…Over the years she prayed for so many people. Sometimes she would just know what was happening in a person's life and pray for them. One of the aides at the nursing home told me that she was having a rough day, and Pat took her hand and prayed exactly for what was needed. The aide said she had to take a break to collect herself. She would wake up in the middle of the night and pray for safety for someone specifically, not knowing their plane had lost an engine. They returned safely! She prayed for her son-in-law’s inoperable brain tumor - and it disappeared! And the list goes on…

Even after strokes and dementia, when her words were not real words, if she were asked to pray for someone, she was able to speak with amazing clarity in her diction. It was a sight to see the separation of soul and spirit so strongly in action. It was truly something to behold. And of course, what she would pray was spot on!

She was a great prayer warrior. When she said she would pray for you, she would contend for you in prayer. Many of you have been the recipient of her life on her knees and may not have even known it. Those of you who have had the privilege of praying with her know what I mean. She was also a great prayer partner and covering over her family and friends.

Pat was kind and extremely compassionate to others. She was one-of-a-kind for sure. She has lived and shown the kind of love that will be etched on our hearts forever. She will be missed so much!

Education:

Central Bible College, Roberts Wesleyan College, Rochester Institute of Technology

Major: Music, Business.

Jobs:

Rochester Film, Bausch & Lomb, DuPont, Empire State Teen Challenge, Bell and Howell, Rochester Film Company.

Volunteer Positions: President of Women's and Girls’ Ministries, Coordinator for 13 area churches.

Patricia was born in Savannah, TN. The daughter of the late James Cranston Sullivan and Survilla Hicks Sullivan.

Pat was united in marriage to the late Grant Noble Aldridge.

She is survived by her daughter Debbie Aleta (Stan) Lander, 3 grandchildren; Cheri Rigby, David Lander and Laura (Evan) Coleman, and 3 great-grandchildren; Harper, Wesley, and Macie Coleman, and her sister Nina Sullivan Cogan. In addition to her parents and husband she was also preceded in death by her eldest daughter Cheryl Schang. 

If you prefer to donate to one of Patricia’s charities, please send it to Teen Challenge, Savannah, TN.