Patricia Irene Tetrick, age 74

Patricia Irene Tetrick, age 74 of Forest City passed away Saturday, June 17, 2017.

Pat was born April 9, 1943 in Fairmont, WV and was a daughter of the late Ernest M. Miller and Valeria Morgan Miller. She was a graduate of West Virginia University and worked as a Claims Representative for the Social Security Administration for more than thirty years where she retired. A devout Catholic, she was a member of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Forest City. She was also preceded in death by her step-mother, Phyllis Adair Miller.

Pat was many things to many people. She was a beauty queen, licensed pilot, singer, mentor, and a volunteer with the Rutherford County Board of Elections. She was a supporter and former President of the Rutherford County Humane Society and also one of the original volunteers with the Rutherford County Animal Protection Alliance, later known as the Community Pet Center where she participated on the Board of Directors. Most of all, Pat will be remembered for her extraordinary love of animals, the neglected, sweet, shy, small and large. Pat loved them all and worked tirelessly to protect them.

Pat is survived by a host of friends including Faye Thompson, Jill Bradshaw, and Lynn Faltraco as well as former co-workers and members of her church family.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held in the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church with Father Herbert Burke and Deacon Andy Cilone serving as celebrants. Interment followed at Eternal Hills Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the Community Pet Center, PO Box 623, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 (cpcrutherfordcounty@gmail.com).

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.