Patsy Barker Beene died on January 7, 2012, at the Boulder and Broomfield Hospice Balfour Care Center in Louisville, Colorado. She was 97 years old. Her given name at birth was Nora Frances but was soon changed to Patsy as she was known the rest of her life. She was born in Orme, Tennessee, on November 17, 1914. She was the oldest of five daughters of Mose Easterly Barker and Willie Mae Jernigan Barker. She married Lemuel Philip Beene on September 1, 1934. Her husband preceded her in death.

She attended South Pittsburg Elementary School and Marion County High in Jasper, Tennessee. She was especially active in dramatics and music during high school. She received both a Bachelor's and a Masters degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She returned to the University of Tennessee for a guidance certification when Tennessee added guidance programs in the high schools. She taught English Literature to seniors for twenty years at South Pittsburg High School and later was the guidance counselor at SPHS. In all, she spent forty-three years in the teaching profession.

Patsy was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Honor Society, and the Marion County Education Association, serving as president of both organizations. She held membership in the Tennessee Education Association, National Education Association, and Marion County Retired Teachers. Before retiring she was active in the Chattanooga Guidance Association. While teaching, she was advisor to the school's newspaper and in 1983 was named Tennessee Distinguished Advisor by the Tennessee High School Press Association.

Patsy was an active member of Christ Church Episcopal serving on the vestry, as president of the Women of the Church, a Sunday school teacher, and a member of the altar guild. She was a member of the Twin Cities Garden Club and South Pittsburg Woman's Club, having served as president of both. For many years she was active in the Music Club and the Lioness Club. She was a member of the Judge David Campbell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving in a number of leadership positions; the Tennessee Society of Colonial Dames XVII; the Huguenot Society of Tennessee; and the Volunteer-Wauhatchie Chapter of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812. In 1990 she helped with the compilation of The Story of Marion County Its People and Places for the Marion County Historical Society. She spent many years after her retirement researching her family genealogy.

Patsy loved to travel and enjoyed trips to many parts of the world. She liked sports and attended as many sports activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as possible. She especially tried to attend all graduations of her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren.

Patsy is survived by two of her three children, Jane Beene Daniels of Breckenridge, Colorado, and James Robert Beene of Oak Ridge, Tennessee and by one sister, Willie Mae Barker Beattie of Florence, Alabama. Her daughter, Peggy Beene Fraser and sisters, Mildred Barker, Lois Hoge, and Wyndolyn Schubert preceded her in death. She has eight grandchildren: Beth Fraser O'Connell, Susan Fraser, Bill Fraser, Katherine Daniels, Caroline Daniels Chappell, Sarah Beene, Charles Beene, and Philip Beene. She has twelve great-grandchildren.

A service in Celebration and Thanksgiving of Patsy's life will be held on January 21 at 10:00 CST at Christ Church Episcopal at Holly Avenue and Third Street in South Pittsburg. The service will be followed by a reception at the church and interment at the Bean-Roulston Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Phil Beene Memorial Scholarship fund c/o Patsy Sherrill, 214 Magnolia Avenue, South Pittsburg, TN 37380; or to the Bean-Roulston Cemetery c/o John Raulston, P.O. Box 986 Jasper, TN 37347.