Patricia C Barnard

Patricia (Pat) Croom Barnard, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. She was 95 years old. Pat, daughter of Asa Waller and Montice Croom, was born on February 3, 1929, in Florence, South Carolina, and lived in Mullins, South Carolina for most of her early life. She attended Winthrop College for two years and then transferred to Duke University, where she graduated as a registered medical technologist. On December 16, 1951, Pat married George Barnard, whom she had met at Duke University. She worked as a medical technologist at the University of North Carolina Teaching Hospital until she became a mother and full-time homemaker. In 1963, Pat and George moved to Gainesville, Florida, where they raised their five children. For twenty-two years, Pat was a skilled and dedicated volunteer in the Hematology Laboratory at the Malcolm Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She was also a member of the University of Florida Medical Guild and the First United Methodist Church. For many years, Pat demonstrated her concern for the less fortunate by volunteering at the Helping Hands Clinic for the homeless, often bringing homemade cookies for all to enjoy. Pat was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother as well as a devoted friend. Time and time again, she offered others positive words of encouragement, holding the firm conviction that everything happens for the best. Her life was dedicated to letting others know that they were understood, appreciated, and dearly loved. She expressed her love in countless practical ways. As her children were growing up, she shuttled them to their many extracurricular activities; she enthusiastically cheered them on at sporting events; and she created fun and imaginative parties for them and their friends. Pat nurtured her connection to loved ones through her frequent and thoughtful letters, cards, and phone calls. Her warmth and kindness were also felt in the many care packages of goodies that she sent to family and friends over the years. Pat also sent these care packages, along with encouraging notes, to the recipients of the George and Patricia Barnard “We Believe in You” Scholarship Fund, which Pat and George created to help support college-bound students from Gaston County, North Carolina. Pat was known for her immense generosity. She spent innumerable hours making hundreds of beautiful counted cross stitch pieces for family and friends. She would also begin looking for Christmas gifts in January, and would not be satisfied until she found the perfect gift for each person on her list. Pat was also a wonderful cook. After decades spent preparing delicious meals and desserts for family and friends, in 2013 Pat compiled her recipes into a cookbook entitled Pat’s Favorite Recipes so that they could be shared with those she loved. Pat welcomed everyone into her heart. She was a consummate and gracious hostess, who enjoyed entertaining. She welcomed others into her warm and inviting home that was tastefully decorated with the antiques that she and George had collected over the years. Pat also enjoyed playing games with family and friends, especially Bridge and Mexican Train. Pat never stopped learning. She was an avid reader and an enthusiastic world traveler. Pat also loved to camp. Her camping experiences took her and George (often accompanied by family and friends) to every corner of the United States. For more than a decade, she and George made a second home camping at Winngray Campground in North Carolina, surrounded by their family of camping friends. Pat loved to dance – especially line-dancing, clogging, and in her early years, doing the jitterbug. She loved to sing, and taught her children songs that they still sing to this day. Pat loved to laugh…and laugh… and laugh. She especially loved infants – she delighted in babies and they delighted in her. Pat brought an abundance of joy, goodness, and love to this world, always concluding her letters to family members by saying, “Remember you are well loved!” All those who knew and loved her would in turn like to give Pat a message: “Remember you are well loved – always and forever!” Pat’s survivors include her husband of seventy-three years, George W. Barnard; her children, Bill Barnard, of Dallas, TX; David Barnard (Sonoko), of Wellesley, MA; Beth Williams (Bob), of Tallahassee, FL; Brenda Birdsall (Bruce), of Peachtree City, GA; Julie Britt (John), of Peachtree City, GA; six grandchildren (Alex Hoofman, William Barnard, Lauren Barnard, Maya Barnard, John Britt Jr., and Christina Hibbs) as well as two great-grandchildren (Reed Hoofman and Dillon Hoofman). Pat was predeceased by her brother Douglas Waller, and three sisters, Carolyn Rogers, Lynn Collins, and Bobbie Fisher. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on March 1, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church, 419 NE 1st Street, Gainesville, Florida, with a luncheon and Celebration of Life following the services. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Pat’s memory may be made either to the: 1) George and Patricia Barnard Scholarship Fund c/o Gaston Community Foundation P.O. Box 123 Gastonia, NC 28053 2) Helping Hands Clinic 2603 NW 13th Street # 306 Gainesville, FL 32609

Patricia C Barnard

February 3, 1929 - January 22, 2025