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Patsy “Pat” Etta Presnell, of Elizabethton, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, September 13, 2024, at the age of 86, following a lengthy illness. The daughter of the late P.H. and Gertrude (Thomas) Wallace, she was born on October 18, 1937. Pat loved the Lord and others with a gentle spirit and tremendous kindness. She was a faithful follower of Christ and a prayer warrior.

“Mrs. Pat” spent her life investing in the lives of others, especially children. For many years, she taught piano in her home, nurturing many young musicians and encouraging them to live for Christ. Pat worked as a substitute teacher for 20 years until, at the age of 53, she decided to become a regular classroom teacher. Upon being hired at Harold McCormick Elementary, she taught kindergarten and first grade before landing in third grade and spending the rest of her teaching career there. She loved her students as well as her fellow teachers, and she worked tirelessly to give as much of herself as she could. After retirement, Pat returned to HMC as a teacher’s assistant, where she worked until she was 79.

Pat was a committed and active member of Grace Baptist Church in Elizabethton, where she served as a church pianist from the time she was 13 years old, finally retiring at age 83. She also taught a ladies’ Sunday school class for nearly 50 years, and she served on many committees and teams. Her dedication to her Lord and her church has been an inspiration to many.

In addition to her parents, Pat was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Presnell; they were married for 45 years at the time of his death in 2002. Other loved ones who have gone on before her include her son, Steve Presnell; her brother, Capt. Kenneth Wallace (USN); and her sister-in-law, Harriet Jenkins Wallace.

Those who are left to cherish her memory include a son, Dr. Jim Presnell, and his wife, Cindy; a daughter, Laura Seagroves, and her husband, Joe; granddaughter, Holly Rains, and her husband, Ryan; and grandson, Chris Presnell. Other survivors include a special cousin, Earlene Thomas Marshall; nieces, Vickie Wallace Plasker, Pamela Wallace, Lisa Wallace Davidow, and Kendra Wallace Pak; special friends, Marilyn Keller, Loretta Peeks, Tiffany and Makenzie Revis, and David and Kristy Ferguson; and the faculty and staff of Harold McCormick Elementary, especially Denise Kind, Brandi Erwin, and Regina Cates. The family wishes to thank the staff of Princeton Assisted Living for their loving care of Pat for the past two years, as well as Dr. Michelle Davenport and staff.

A service to honor Pat’s life will be held at Grace Baptist Church, 1114 Broad Street, Elizabethton, on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 6 p.m. with Dr. Travis Tyler officiating. Music will be under the direction of Debbie Gouge. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. at the church prior to the service.

The graveside service will take place at Happy Valley Memorial Gardens on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 10 a.m. Active pallbearers will be Joe Seagroves, Chris Presnell, Ryan Rains, Larry Adams, Mick Marshall, and Carl Rains. Honorary pallbearers are the past and present deacons of Grace Baptist and the Elizabethton High School Class of 1955. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery no later than 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday.

Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the General Fund of Grace Baptist Church, 1114 Broad Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643.

Words of sympathy and support may be shared with the family by visiting our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to be serving Patsy’s family. Office phone: (423) 542-2232.