Patterson, Tracy Gertrude

Tracy Gertrude (Birdie) Patterson, 45, of Richmond, and formerly of Pulaski, passed away Friday, December 16,2011, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Richmond. Tracy was born September 17, 1966, in Pulaski to the late Otttaway Patterson and Athene Carter Patterson.

Tracy graduated from Pulaski County High School in 1984 and received her associate’s degree in the optician program from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in 1994, she received her bachelor of science in business administration in 2005 from Averette University. Tracy was in the process of completing her master’s of business administration, which she begun in 2009. She was a dedicated employee of Wal-Mart for 15 years as a Health and Wellness Market Director. She was a member of Wal-Mart’s Optician Program Advisory Board since 2004; she was a member of the Black MBA Association Advisory Committee. Tracy was a member of St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Richmond. She was dedicated to the Lord, her family and friends and her career.

Tracy leaves to cherish her memory a brother, Ronald Patterson; three sisters, Constance Patterson, Carol Patterson and Lisa Patterson, all of Pulaski; two nieces, Latashia Patterson and Raiven Patterson, of Pulaski; four aunts, Sharon Conner, Ernestine Carter, Nancy Jones and Mabel Jenkins, of Pulaski. Tracy also leaves behind great-uncles, cousins and a host of friends that are too numerous to name.

Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2011, at First Baptist Church, 220 Magazine Street, with the Rev. Golden Carter officiating. Visitation from noon until the time of service.

Professional services entrusted to Penn’s Funeral Home, Pulaski, Virginia. Send online condolences to pennsfuneralhome@gmail.com.