Patricia Gaither Whitmore

Patricia Gaither (Pat) Whitmore, 86, formerly of Kenbridge, Virginia, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2022. She was born July 27, 1935 to the late Annie Mae Gaither (Flippin) and Radford Arlington Gaither. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 61 years, Richard Lee Whitmore as well as her brother and sister. She is survived by her two children, Martha Anne Gilliam (Statham) of Boone, North Carolina and Richard Lee Whitmore, Jr. (Melva) of Kenbridge, Virginia. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Elizabeth Sterling Gilliam Hedgepath (Capron) and Mary Patricia Gilliam.

Pat briefly attended Bluefield College and left to complete her education at a business college in Richmond, Virginia. As a single lady, Pat enjoyed her position as a secretary for Reynolds Metals in Richmond, Virginia.

After marriage, the couple first lived in the town of Kenbridge and later in Lunenburg County at “Woodland”, the antebellum home they restored. There, Pat hosted countless wedding showers, baby showers, teas, and open houses for the entire community. She held annual holiday dinners for family and extended family, usually seating well over 40 people of all ages.

Pat volunteered at Community Memorial Hospital for a number of years and later worked there in the admissions department. She went on many hikes and campouts with the girl scouts. She helped the girls earn badges teaching many to knit. She was known for her baking and made birthday cakes for her many friends. Pat loved all animals, including wildlife. The Whitmore place always included dogs, but other residents were a horse, a deer, a raccoon, barn cats, ducks, peacocks, a three-legged pig, and an injured lamb to name a few.  In later years, she worked and volunteered at the Lake Country Area Agency on Aging where she started an office for Alzheimer’s.

Pat will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. Her Christian faith was strong and she was looking forward to her next life in Heaven.

Pat was an active member of Kenbridge United Methodist Church. A memorial service will be held Thursday, March 17th at 11 a.m. at Clarke Funeral Home, 110 E. 5th Avenue, Kenbridge, Virginia. Immediately following, at 12 noon, the family will receive friends in the Kenbridge United Methodist Church, 201 E. 5th Avenue in the fellowship hall. Burial will follow in Trinity Memorial Gardens, Rice, Virginia at 2 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Kenbridge United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 926, Kenbridge, Virginia, 23944 or Southside Virginia SPCA, PO Box 66, Meherrin, Virginia 23954. Clarke Funeral Home, Kenbridge is assisting the family. Online condolences may be sent at www.clarkefh.com