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From Birth to College
Patty Joanne Hendricks was born on June 21, 1961 to Danny and
Rose Hendricks of Woodland, Georgia. Patty was their third daughter
and was born on her parents eighth anniversary. Molly and Jennie
were her two older sisters. Patty grew up in the Pleasant Hill
Community of Talbot County, Georgia. She was a very loving young
child and always wanted to please everyone whom she came
into contact with. From an early age she enjoyed riding the farm
tractor with her daddy and loved all the farm animals. She thought
all animals were made for petting!!!
Patty entered the first grade at Talbot County Elementary School in
Talbotton, Georgia in September of 1967. Her first grade teacher
was Mrs. Sally Smith whom she loved and admired from her first day
of school until her death on February 14, 2002. Patty made many
friends during her early school days---many of which remained very
close friends throughout her life.
Patty was always a kind and unselfish child. This was manifested
in a letter received from one of her grade school classmates after
her death. Dewey E. Turner III wrote: "Our class (I think we were
in the third grade) went on a field trip to the Atlanta Zoo. At the
end of the day I remember the class being allowed to visit a gift or
souvenir shop inside the zoo area. Most of the class had extra
money for which they could buy something to carry home. However,
there were two brothers who did not have any extra money with
them. Both stood by our teacher as the rest of the class "pilfered"
through the trinkets for something to purchase. Patty noticed the
two boys and began asking everyone for money. She did not tell us
why she was asking for money but everyone knew if Patty was ask-
ing for money she obviously had a good reason for doing so. After
collecting nickels and dimes from everyone she discreetly gave it to
the two brothers who to begin with would not accept the money.
With encouragement from our teacher the two boys finally accepted
the money and thanked Patty for it. They each purchased a necklace
with an emblem of the zoo on it and proudly wore it around their
neck like everyone else. I am sure Patty ended up giving the two
classmates most of her money that day. That was her nature."
Dewey also wrote: "Patty was a true friend from grade school that
remained a true friend. She was a friend for life. Not only to me
but to everyone whom she touched while with us. She was an easy
person to like and to love. I will always remember her as being
someone who impacted my life and helped me to be the person I
am today. She showed everyone how to be selfless and how to
care and put other people's needs first. Patty lived it from an early
age. I am thankful for having been her friend and having her in my
life."------
It was in the fall of 1971 after her daddy accepted the Headmasters
position at Westwood School in Thomaston that she transferred there
from Talbotton. Patty was entering the fifth grade. She adjusted well
to the new school, made many new friends and participated in sports.
However, any time there was an activity that called for a "date" she
would always remember the boys back home!! As the old saying goes,
"there is no place like home." Patty transferred to Manchester High
School in Manchester, Georgia for her senior year. There she felt "right
at home" for sure. She graduated from high school in June of 1979
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