Patsy Ann Saunders Essick

Patsy Ann (Saunders) Essick, born January 28, 1936, passed peacefully along to be with the Lord with family by her side at Randolph Hospital on September 13th, 2021.

Pat was a true southern woman, called "Princess" by many, as she was always put together, dressed "to the nines", coordinated, and prepared for any occasion. She was just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. She had a passion for helping people, especially children. She served at Asheboro City Schools as a teacher assistant for children with special needs for 25 years. Pat graduated from Asheboro High School in the class of 1954. After graduation, she married the love of her life, Bill, and celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this past June. Pat and Bill were very active members in their church, First E&R United Church of Christ where they were the youth leaders for many years. They also began the chicken pie fundraisers to support their church ministries. Pat and Bill were avid travelers and throughout their journeys traveled to all 50 states, including Alaska, in their RV, with the exception of Hawaii, in which they flew. They shared hundreds of stories of their travels, and as devout Christians, found a church and visited wherever they were on Sunday mornings. Pat had a grand sense of adventure and a fierce love for her family. Her impact will never be forgotten by her family, friends, and church family. Pat is welcomed with warm, heavenly hugs by her sister, Dot Steed, and her parents Roy and Moleta Saunders, who preceded her in death.

She is loved and remembered by her husband Bill Essick and three daughters, Inga Essick of Asheboro, Tami (Essick) and Wayne Manring of Trinity, and Lori (Essick) Hicks and Fred Smith of Asheboro. She loved her grandchildren, Haley and (Jeremy) Taylor, Allison and (Matt) Taylor, Laini and (Ethan) Johnson, and Ian Hicks. She was blessed to have had her great-grandchildren, Collins and Claire Taylor, Jake and Lennon Taylor, and Orli Johnson and 1 more great-granddaughter on the way.

Pat's family will receive friends on Sunday, September 19, 2021 from 1:00-2:30 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. A graveside service will follow on Sunday at 3:00 pm at Randolph Memorial Park with Rev. Dave Cash officiating.

Memorials may be made to the First E&R United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 1002, Asheboro, NC 27204.