Patricia “Pat” Nelson – Jan. 12, 2025

Patricia “Pat” Nelson
Jan. 12, 2025

Patricia “Pat” Nelson, 79, of Red Bay, passed away Jan. 12 at Generations of Red Bay. She was born on March 21, 1945, in Hodges, Ala., and was the fourth of five children. She graduated from Hackleburg High School in May 1963 and went on to attend the Alabama Banking School at the University of South Alabama, graduating in 1982.

Her distinguished banking career began on June 12, 1969, when she joined the Bank of Red Bay. She was elected to the Board of Directors on Sept. 14, 1976, rose to Senior Vice President in January 1979 and was appointed Executive Vice President on Jan. 8, 1985.

In July 2000, Pat was elected Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President and Secretary to the Board—roles she upheld for many years. She retired from the bank in 2011 after 42 years of service, yet she remained on the Board of Directors until her resignation in November 2024, culminating in a remarkable 48-year tenure. She also served on the bank’s Loan Committee throughout her career.

Pat was further committed to the banking industry and her com-munity through her service as Vice Chair of Independent Bancshares, Inc. until June 2024. In addition, she served as Chairman of the Weatherford Foundation of Red Bay, Ala., Inc. until her resignation in November. Her civic involvement included serving on the board of the Weatherford Library, acting as a director of “Freedom House”—the first state-sponsored residential facility for women in recovery, participating as a non-voting member of The Bay Tree Council for the Performing Arts as well as various other boards.

Pat’s deep faith guided every aspect of her life. For years, she served and was a member of Community Center Baptist Church, and in her latter months, she became a member of First Missionary Baptist Church in Hodges, Ala. Her steadfast devotion to friends, family, colleagues and community will forever inspire those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Services were held Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. at Hodges Missionary Baptist Church in Hodges, Ala., with Bro. Marty Guidry, Bro. Larry Vickery, Josh Senkbeil and Shea Lowery officiating. Visitation was Jan. 16 from 5-8 p.m. at Deaton Funeral Home in Red Bay. She lay in state Jan. 17 from 12-2 p.m. at Hodges Missionary Baptist Church. Burial was in Mountain Home Cemetery in Belgreen, Ala. Deaton Funeral Home of Red Bay, Ala., handled the arrangements.

She is survived by her children, Brenda O’Shea Lowery and Shannon Suzanne Howington (Ken); grandchildren, Randy Lowery (April), Mandy Morrow (Tyler), Joshua Senkbeil (Erica), Kyle Senkbeil and Matthew Senkbeil (Ally); great-grandchildren, Dalton Lowery, Lawson Lowery, Henslee Lowery, Beckham Lowery, Layton Lowery, Aaron Morrow, Harley Lowery, Chloe Morrow,MaddieLansdell, Lauryn Senkbeil, John Senkbeil, Blaine Senkbeil, Maverick Senkbeil and Emma Kay Senkbeil; sister, Betty Stephens and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alpha Walker Quinn and Eva Dale Stidham Quinn; two brothers, Denver Quinn (Barbara) and Jerry Quinn; a sister, Carolyn Holland and a niece, Brenda Quinn.

Pallbearers were Randy Lowery, Joshua Senkbeil, Kyle Senkbeil and Matthew Senkbeil, Tyler Morrow and Ken Howington. Honorary pallbearers were Aaron Morrow, Harley Morrow, Dalton Lowery, Lawson Lowery and Blaine Senkbeil.