Patricia Ruth Holton

Patricia 'Pat' Ruth Holton, 83 of Hanahan, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 22, 2023.

Born on November 5, 1939 in Plainfield, NJ was the daughter of the late Ruth Hennessy (McCready) and Edward Hennessy.

As a child, Pat was an accomplished horsewoman, always on the go to the next horse show.  Pat won often.  She competed in many shows and on the biggest stages such as at Madison Square Garden. One admirer was remembered saying, "dare's da little 'goil' 'fwom' Joisey dat wins all da ribbons".

 She enjoyed being a "mom" despite threatening many times, to change her name.  Pat didn't mind becoming roads and bridges for "match-box" and "hot wheels" cars. She enjoyed watching and supporting her kids' events such as sports, band and theater. As an avid Yankee's fan growing up, she kept her favorite player's statistics. So it was natural the she volunteered to be the official score keeper for her son's Little League baseball team.  

In work-life, Pat enjoyed customer service jobs at Miller's in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and May D&F in Westminster, Colorado. Pat then moved on to work for insurance agents before working for Worldpool.  At Worldpool, typical of Pat's helpful nature, she had a particularly interesting person needing help with her dishwasher. After resolving that problem, she was invited over for coffee, "if ever in the neighborhood". That caller was Florence Henderson.

Pat enjoyed baking cookies, cakes and pies; but the family knew to leave the kitchen when she was making apple pie. Pat had to have the perfect pie crust and it was likely anyone around was about to hear some surprisingly foul language! Pat so enjoyed family gatherings as well as traveling across the country to the beach or mountains.  

Patricia is preceded in death by:  Robert S. Holton, Sr. (husband), 60-years; Edward James (Jimmy) Hennessy, Charles (Buddy) Hennessy, John (Jackie) Hennessy, George Hennessy

Patricia is survived by Thomas Michael Hennessy (brother) (Connie) FL, Robert S. Holton, Jr.(Yvonne) NE, Grandson Paul Fuchs-Holton and granddaughter Christia Fuchs-Holton Germany; Edward P. Holton (Cindy) SC, Brian D. Holton (Radeana), grandson Connor R. Holton, granddaughters McKenna D. Holton and Kyra G. Holton Knoxville, TN; many nieces and nephews.

Receiving of friends will be at Cedar Lane United Methodist Church, Knoxville, Tennessee on August 6th at 3pm and 4pm will be service. The graveside service will be the next day on August 7th at Woodlawn Cemetery at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made for research and to fight Alzheimers at The Pat Summitt Foundation, 520 West Summitt Hill Drive Suite 1101 Knoxville, TN. 37902 or fight breast cancer, Susan G. Komen 1-877-465-6636 or info@komen.org; Address: 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, TX 75380.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at palmettocs.com/.