Pereda Paty Obituary

Pereda R. (Pete) Paty August 12, 2024

BRISTOL, TN - Life-long Bristolian, Pereda R (Pete) Paty died peacefully on April 12th. Born at her parents' home on Franklin Mt. in Shelton Laurel, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Ellenia Shelton Rice and Troy Louis Rice, and she was their middle child between her older brother Joseph Pearson Rice and sister Helen Rice Franklin. Her parents lost several of her siblings at childbirth, but Joe, Pereda and Helen would each marry and raise families. Life on a North Carolina mountain-top farm was hard during the Great Depression, but the people of the region -- a mix of Scots/Irish and legacy Cherokee -- proved to be very resilient. Later in life, she would often say, usually around birthdays, 'I never expected to live to 40' since she had seen so much death and infirmity, especially during the polio epidemic.

Walking several miles to/from school each day, she graduated from a one-room school at 16 at the top of her class. Her father would often complain 'you always have your nose in a book' because when not working in the fields, or around the house, she could be found reading high in a tree, or in the hayloft on rainy days. She called her four years at East Tennessee State College (now ETSU) to be 'the four happiest years of my life' and in addition to her degree, she gained a love of life-long learning. She also acquired the nickname of 'Pete', which stayed with her throughout life.

At ETSU, Pete trained to be a math teacher, but upon graduation the only job she could find in 1948 was a roving, elementary school physical education teacher for Bristol, Tennessee schools. While waiting for a bus near Rosemont Elementary School, her future husband, John C. Paty Jr, drove by in a convertible and asked if she might need a ride. At that moment, the bus arrived, she said 'no thanks' and disappeared behind the folding doors. Luckily for Jo Anne, John, and Bob, their father was undaunted by her disappearing act. Soon Pete and John were dating regularly, then marrying in a ceremony at the home of her 'Bristol Family' the Hardings on Carolina Avenue, August 10, 1951.

With the help of Syliva Morrison, Melvin Arnold, and for nearly 20 years, Doris Swiney, Pete led an extraordinary life of civic engagement, wife of a CEO, and she put the T in "Tiger Mom". Pete balanced all these roles and was a member on more than 15 boards and commissions across the Tri Cities. Her peers on these boards selected her to be their leader, including Chairman of the Bristol TN School Board, Chairman of the Bristol Tennessee Electric System -- Pete was the first woman BTES board member and Chair, and Chairman of the Bristol Library Foundation. Pete served several terms on the InterMountain Telephone Board, which landed her briefly on the Board of Sprint Corporation.

Pete served on the Sullivan County Planning Commission and played an instrumental part in the founding of the Sullivan County Children's Advocacy Center. She also served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader for 18 years, including the Appalachian Girl Scout Council, Life Member. Pete was also an active member of PEO, Bristol Ballet, Red Cross, Junior League, Hill & Dale Garden Club, and received two lifetime memberships in the Parent Teacher Association. ROTARY International honored her as a Paul Harris Fellow.

Downtime for Pete came in her gardens, finding sharks' teeth on her beloved Edisto Beach, winning at the card table, rooting for the Atlanta Braves and Lady Vols, plus making you look like a fool on the tennis court.

Pete was a life-long member of State Street United Methodist Church and participated in many of the church's activities and programs, especially United Methodist Women, which she chaired for several terms. Her family will honor her life at State Street, Saturday, August 24th at 11 am (650 Valley Drive, Bristol, VA 24201).

Pete is survived by her three children: Josephine Anne Paty Bullington; John Collins Paty, III and his wife Alma Hale Paty; and Robert Morris Paty and his wife Michele Meckfessel. She loved her six grandchildren: Clarke; Margaret; Ellenia; Jack; Wesley; and Maribel. Her husband of 42 years, John C Paty Jr, preceded her in 1998 and her siblings, brother Joe (1982) and sister Helen (2023) and her 'favorite' son-in-law, John A. Bullington, Sr (2020). John and Pete lost a son, Thomas Gilmore Paty, shortly after his premature birth (1964). Her family would like to thank Brookdale in Johnson City for their professional and loving care. Flowers are welcome, but maybe a better idea would be to honor her love of books and her many years of service to the Bristol Library Foundation with a donation! https://bristol-library.org/foundation/

This obituary has been lovingly written by the Paty Family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.oakley-cook.com. Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, 2223 Volunteer Parkway, Bristol, TN 37620 (423-764-7123) is honored to serve the Paty family during this difficult time.