Patricia Faber Obituary

Patricia Ann Faber

April 12, 1936 -

October 21, 2025

Pat Faber, 89, passed away peacefully at home on October 21, 2025. She was born at home in Spring Hill, West Virginia on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1936. She was the daughter of Charles Bernard Frye and Edna Virginia Larrison.

Pat graduated from St. Albans High School in 1954. While working at Stone and Thomas, a local department store, she met the love of her life. She married Joe Faber in 1957 and together they attended the University of Georgia. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in English and started her teaching career. They moved to Johnson City in 1966 when Joe began teaching at ETSU. Pat was a young mother who wanted to be involved in the community. She joined the local church, ladies book club, bowling league, square dance club, BUNCO group, and local spa. When her girls started school, she was room mother and girl scout troop leader.

She earned her Early Childhood Certification and taught pre-school at First United Methodist Church and North Johnson City Baptist, and later kindergarten at Towne Acres Elementary. She loved working with small children and enjoyed seeing the spark in the children's eyes as they learned new things. She stayed active in many social clubs, church activities, and volunteered in the community throughout her life. Some of her favorite activities included walking at the Mall and VA with her friends, Storytelling in Jonesborough, attending classes at the Institute of Continued Learning, and her monthly UMW Circle of Hope meeting. Her most favorite thing to do though was to spend time with her family. She adored her grandkids and never missed a ballgame, dance recital, or opportunity to take them to lunch. Before his death, she and Joe enjoyed many days of riding around the beautiful country roads in east Tennessee. She was always there for her family and friends, someone you could count on for a ride, a covered dish, an extra set of hands for a project, ready to help anyone at any time.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Joe. Survivors include daughters Patty Jo Nixon and husband Dean, LoriAnn Leonard and husband David, grandchildren Rebekah Leonard, Hannah Mascaro, Joseph Leonard, Maria Kotowski and husband Kyle, and great granddaughter Emma "Sweet Bug" Leonard.

Pat donated her body to the Quillen College of Medicine. Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church for the Food Pantry or Brother's Keeper. There will be a private family ceremony.