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Pat Sale Harrison

Pat Sale Harrison

February 14th, 1962 - November 27th, 2020

Biography


Patricia Sale Harrison, mother, grandmother, wife, and friend, passed away Friday, November 27, 2020 at the age of 58 after years of battling complications of Parkinson’s disease. She was surrounded by family. 


Pat’s life work was with children. Following the birth of her sons, Patricia started a career in childcare. The kids she kept became part of her family by extension, and were a source of pride throughout her life. Pat later transitioned into school bus driving and eventually became Director of Transportation for Radford City Schools. Pat cared deeply for every child in her care, and worked tirelessly in service of the children of Radford. She loved every second. 


Pat is survived by her loving husband Randy, her sons Stuart and Daniel, her daughters-in-law Jessica and Amanda, her grandsons Waylon and Ellis, her brother Soupy and sisters Courtney and Nancy, nieces, nephew, countless loving friends, and generations of children for whom she was a relentless advocate.


If you knew Pat, you were a friend. Pat always had another seat at her table, and was never happier than when she was surrounded by all her boys and anyone they chose to love. She always envisioned her home filled with grandchildren, her friends and anyone else who happened to stop by. We feel there is no finer way to honor and celebrate her life than to do just that. Come help brighten her memory by gathering to tell your stories and share laughter over light refreshments and beverages with the family on Sunday, October 3 from 3-6 PM at 577 Ingles St., Radford, Virginia.

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About

Name Pat Sale Harrison
Date of Birth February 14th, 1962
Date of Death November 27th, 2020
Other City Radford, VA, US 
In Memoriam Donation The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
In Memoriam Donation The Parkinson's Foundation

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Deb Sydnor published a tribute .

Never did I see Pat without her beautiful smile. Her leaving us so soon was a shock. My best to the family and God Bless Pat with healing and a beautiful afterlife.

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Amanda Reinholtz published a tribute .

If you knew Pat, you were a friend. Pat always had another seat at her table, and was never happier than when she was surrounded by all her boys and anyone they chose to love. She always envisioned her home filled with grandchildren, her friends and anyone else who happened to stop by. We feel there is no finer way to honor and celebrate her life than to do just that. Come help brighten her memory by gathering to tell your stories and share laughter over light refreshments and beverages with the family on Sunday, October 3 from 3-6 PM at 577 Ingles St., Radford, Virginia.

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Nora S. Wells published a tribute .

Oh when the saints...go marching in...oh when the saints go marching in...oh Lord I want to be in that number...when the saints go marching in. Anyone who has gone to Orkney Springs / Shrine Mont knows this song and it's significance. This is where I met our sweet Patti...who has marched in ahead of us. Her smile is engraved on my heart forever! Fresh skins for new wines!

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Jo Poe published a comment .

We met at St Georges. We had such lovely times. i was blessed with you both. Pat made friends wherever. Pat was warm and outgoing, and funny, and welcoming.

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Jo Ann Dyre published a tribute .

Kings Dominion, Pat and Jo Ann bumping with Templeton Rat. 1972?

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Kathy Tucker published a tribute .

Randy, Daniel and Stuart:
We were saddened to hear of Pat's passing. She was a kind person-and so authentic and real. She had a personality that warmed you and made you happy that you encountered her. Our hearts send our thoughts to you and yours. Rob & Kathy Tucker and family

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Karen Campbell published a tribute .

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Karen Campbell published a tribute .

Heaven gained a angel, Pat, and we lost a great friend and neighbor. And we will cherish our memories we had with her. Pat had a big love for the outdoors. Whether it was tubing or kayaking the river or hiking the mountains with her kids. Her love for her family was the most important in her life. When she became a grandmother she will always pull out that phone and show us all the wonderful photos of her grandson. One of our favorite memories was Pat’s love for oysters, whether it was at a oyster shuck party in Roanoke or our house or her backyard. We will miss her deeply and cherish our photos. We wish the family peace and comfort through this time. Randy and karen Campbell

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Jo Poe published a comment .

Lovely memories

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Ann Pannell published a tribute .

Randy, So sorry to hear about Pat. Holding you and the boys in my thoughts and prayers. Ann Pannell

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Jo Poe published a tribute .

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Jo Ann and Pat in high school.

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Jo Poe published a tribute .

Patti in junior high.

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Jo Poe published a tribute .

Pat at Shrinemont, possibly arriving for St. George's camp. Photo developed March 1973

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Jo Poe published a tribute .

1966 - Nancy, Soupy, Courtney, Patty. Patty at front door on Selkirk.

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Doug & Debra published a tribute .

Pat will be missed, she was our guide in Gatlinburg and always took charge thank God. New Year’s will not be the
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Doug & Debra published a comment .

Randy, Stuart and Daniel, you are in our thoughts and prayers

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Jenny Doud published a tribute .

Pat was an amazing, unforgettable, strong woman who dedicated her life to her family, children, friendships and her work family. She was like a sister to me and to my family. She, Randy and her children joined us for more than more than 30 years to celebrated many milestones, life passages and just times of appreciation of one another’s company at Claytor Lake. She was deeply in love with her husband Randy and cherished her sons Daniel and Stuart. Her life couldn’t have been more full of happiness and complete than when her sons married and started their families.
She was a “sister” with sensibility but a clever sense of humor and adventure. She could shop a bargain, offer grounding advice and cook masterful dishes for everyone to enjoy. Pat embodied many varied styles and tastes in music, books, food and spirits. She loved the outdoors and was happy dangling her feet in the river off her kayak. Her priorities included her children, as well as others, and her dogs. She always had one or the other in her life almost every day.
Pat came to school at Radford University and soon was connected to my family. She started working for my mother Cherokee Cook at Cook’s Clean Center. Her extreme work ethic, smart wit, and energy soon made her one of my mother’s favorite people. It wasn’t long before our entire Cook family got to know and embraced Pat and Randy as they started their young lives as a couple in Radford.
When Daniel was born, Pat chose to stay at home. Not long after, son Stuart was born and Pat decided the rest of us who were her friends also needed some help with our babies, too. She offered child care to many of her friends. Ralph and I were so fortunate that she became a “second mother” to our sons Brigham and Evan. Pat was amazingly calm, committed and dependable, but more importantly offered such love and compassion to us and our children. At “Pat’s Palace” they received disciplined guidance with love, healthy lunches and snacks that they were required to finish, encouragement when times were tough, and the freedom to be little “boys” who could run outside without shoes, climb to the top of trees in the front yard and endless hours of imaginative time playing together with her boys, others children that she cared for and the neighbor’s children. Her crew in the mid-90s was her sons Daniel and Stuart, my sons Brigham and Evan, and others. There were many children to follow until the crew no longer needed to be under her watchful eye.
Pat truly found a way to combine her love for children, compassion for others and a “can-do” work ethic when she became Director of Transportation for Radford City Schools. She took pride in being able to organize bus routes in her head since there wasn’t any software available for a system like Radford’s. She knew all the children at every bus stop and what their needs were for not only transportation, but also for a stable life. Children loved hearing her recorded voice on snowy mornings saying, “The Radford City Schools will be closed today . . .” Their joy meant that she’d been awake and out on the roads of the city since the wee hours to evaluate the road conditions. Pat learned to drive buses and knew how to do minor repairs. She spent many mornings scraping off the windshields of buses so the drivers could get out on time. She drove championship teams to tournaments, arranged transportations for field trips and braved many bad weather nights to provide transportation for students. Her commitment was beyond any level imaginable.
To remember Pat is to remember someone who fully embodied life and shared so much of herself with others. As a dear friend who was so authentic and willing to help anyone, Pat will be deeply and forever missed. The scope of Pat’s experiences, the ways she helped others and all she accomplished cannot be fully expressed in this reflection. What I hope is shared is that her friendship, her love and kindness will be with me forever. When I’m missing her, I’ll just remember her in all these ways and listen for the sounds of her unforgettable laughter.

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Rosemary Doud Kisling published a comment .

Beautiful tribute!

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Christina Hanel Lovern published a tribute .

Pat was such a wonderful neighbor and friend to my mom. She was so kind and full of life and had good energy. I will forever be grateful to Pat and Randy for kindness beyond measure. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.❤️

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Kathy Stewart published a tribute .

Pat was a fighter. She was my determined workout buddy. We had a lot of great adventures together hiking & paddle boarding. We spent some great time gardening & canning & sharing new recipes. I will miss you my friend! You will always be in my heart.

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Bryan Holbrook published a tribute .

I am one of the countless kids that once called the Harrison house a 2nd home. I cannot thank Pat enough for everything she did for me when my family moved to Radford almost 20 years ago as I entered 6th grade. I echo the comments of others that Pat was like a 2nd mother to me. Without her, moving to a new city as a teenager would have been so much more difficult and confusing. I have so many great memories of her laughing with us at their kitchen table, but if I think hard enough, I probably have just as many good ones of her teaching me life lessons, offering advice, or scolding me just like I was one of her own kids when I got out of line. Just like my own parents, I never wanted Pat to be disappointed in me.

Pat was also an incredible "team mom" for the NRV Wolfpack AAU basketball team. For some reason, she enjoyed the thankless job of keeping the scorebook and having to constantly remind my dad of how many fouls one of our players had, or how many timeouts he had left. I'll always remember the rides to tournaments in the old van, as well as our trip down to Hilton Head for our families' joint vacation. Perhaps equally as memorable, though for different reasons, was Pat dying my hair blonde while we were at the beach. LOL. Suffice to say, my grandmother was not a fan upon my return to Radford. Kidding aside,
Pat Harrison was simply one of the coolest, most genuine people I've ever known and I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. Daniel, Stuart, and Randy, I love you guys and am so terribly sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing your mom with me. God bless.

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Andrea Shustarich published a tribute .

BUSWHERE regrets the loss of a very special person. We have made a donation in her name to M.j.Fox foundation.

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Gracie Duncan published a tribute .

Pat was my boss and friend at RCPS. Her love for the children showed in everything she did.
She gave to others without a expecting anything in return. She loved her boys and Randy endlessly. I will miss walking by her office and seeing new pictures of Ellis and hearing about his latest milestone, Seeing the flowers on her desk from her sweet husband, having Mabel run around with her new ball. She had a way of making you feel like family.
The transportation dept won't be the same without momma!

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Preston Chrisman published a tribute .

Pat was the best. She was my 2nd mother for most of my time spent in elementary school. Many weekends I was either at their house or Stuart was over at mine, and she treated me just like one of her own sons. You always knew the exact spot on the bleachers she would be sitting at every Friday night for a Bobcats football game. Gosh I am just at a loss for words. Like I said she was a 2nd mother to me for a while and I am crushed to learn of her passing. The world needs more Pat Harrison’s in it, that is for sure. Randy, Stuart, Daniel, and the rest of the family, you have our deepest condolences and please know that we are thinking of all of you during this trying time. We love all of you!

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Amanda Reinholtz published a tribute .

Friends, family, and loved ones - please share your memories, stories, and photographs here. Although we may not be able to gather together now, I hope that these remembrances will help us celebrate the life of a woman who loved, and was loved, fiercely until we are able to gather together again.

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Lisa Swope published a comment .

Pat was a tireless worker for Radford City Schools, where both my husband and I worked. We are sorry to learn of her death.

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Charlie And Jeri Reinholtz published a tribute .

Pat made us feel like part of the family from the first day we met her. We have the fondest memories of the times we spent together at Dan and Amanda’s wedding, at our house in Florida, and during our visits to Radford. Pat, Randy, Dan and Stu had a delightfully playful relationship that made their love for each other apparent. From the infamous annual photo of the boys, to the practical jokes, their relationship was always fun and entertaining. Pat loved her boys and their spouses, and she welcomed her grandson, Ellis, with unreserved delight. We will all miss Pat’s passion for life and for her family and friends. We feel luck to have known her, even though it was for far too short a time.

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