Patricia Broadnax
Patricia Ann Broadnax, 88, formerly of Chattanooga, departed this life and entered in the loving arms of Jesus in the early hours of Sunday, June 11, 2023, at her residence in Jackson, Tennessee.
The youngest of the eight children of Harvey and Maxie Broadnax, she was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on December 1, 1934. The death of her parents at an early age was followed by a loving “adoption” and rearing by “Aunt Pressie” and “Uncle Butler” Frazier. It was through Aunt Pressie that she gained her love of reading as well as the will to “hold her head high” despite adversity. It was also through Aunt Pressie that she received her religious values; prompting her to join the church at an early age. Throughout her formative years, she was very active in Sunday School, Choir, and the Baptist youth organization at Hawkinsville Missionary Baptist Church. Despite these activities, she also found time to pursue her love of sports in the form of basketball. Despite her small size, her speed made her a force to reckon with on the court. Always an excellent student, she received her high school diploma with honors from Booker T. Washington High school. Her love for academics led her to Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. It was there that she received her BS degree in early childhood education. In keeping with its motto “Never say farewell to thee” –she formed multiple lifelong friendships with her fellow “Paine-ites”. After a brief stint in South Carolina for her first teaching post, she returned to Chattanooga for the remainder of her teaching career. Her love of children and passion for learning combined to make her a wonderful teacher. The enthusiasm and excellence which she gave to her duties were unsurpassed. She kept such a close eye on “her children” that it was not unusual for her to assist medical personnel, psychologists, parents, and teachers alike by reporting certain abnormalities in the children that lead to the early diagnosis of certain sometimes life-threatening medical conditions. Her excellence in the realm of education did not go unnoticed. She was chosen as one of a select group of black teachers to help integrate the Chattanooga School system. Though she retired from the school system in 1994, her influence as a teacher remains even to this day—we as her family members continue to meet persons who remember her fondly as their “first grade” teacher. She had innumerable “children of the heart”. She loved her small nieces, nephews, cousins, and godchildren as her own and served as a second mother to us all. She was the pillar of our family and served us in whatever way needed.
She was an active member of First Baptist Church serving on the Usher Board, Sunday School Team Leader board, church choir, and the Ladies Guild. She had a love of the game of Bridge and was an active member of “Les Jeune Amies” Bridge Club. She loved to travel. Before failing health grounded her, she traveled all over the world and often shared stories and pictures of her travels. She loved Jazz and combined her love of travel and music by going on several Jazz Cruises. Needless to say, — “Aunt Pat,” “Aunt Tricia,” “Pat,”—will be greatly missed.
Our knowledge that she has been reunited with our family and with our God is our Solace. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents Harvey and Maxie Broadnax; seven siblings; five devoted cousins; two nephews; one niece; and one great-niece.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory nephews, Frederick (Rosetta) Harden, Doran (Naomi) Porter, Alonzo (Shalita) Arnold, and J. Steven Broadnax; nieces, Jennifer Arnold Turnage, Mildred Broadnax, Terry Jean (Ed) Wherry, Wanda Faye Norris, I. Denise Clark, and P. Renee (Emmanuel) Obi; devoted cousins, Rosetta Strickland, Pressie Wasson, and Mary Frazier; as well as a host of beloved cousins; great-nieces; great-nephews; and god-children.
Patricia will lie in state on Friday, June 23, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of E. 8th Street.
Funeral services will follow at noon with Reverend Dr. William Terry Ladd, III as the eulogist.
Burial will be in Lakewood Memory Gardens, East.
Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga, Inc.