Patricia Ann Girard

Patricia Ann Girard, 86, of Goodlettsville, TN, formerly of Smithfield, VA  passed away Friday, November 10, 2023, under the care of Alive Hospice.  A loving wife, mother, Mémère and Grand Mémère was born in Tampa, FL as the 12^th child to Lee Arthur Prior and Mary Jeanette Phillips Prior on December 31, 1936.  She is predeceased by her parents, her husband of 29 years, Roger A. Girard, Jr.; long-time companion William Lovett; sisters, Ruby Catherine Welch, Emily Lorrine O’Brien, and Jacqueline Marie Tierney; brothers, Arthur L. Prior, Herbert E. Prior, Richard F. Prior and Vernon T. Prior.

Patricia married Roger on December 3, 1955 and together had 8 darling children: daughters; Janine Girard of Concord, NC and Laura Girard of Smithfield, VA and sons; Roger Girard, III (Margaret) of Concord, NC, Larry Girard of Goodlettsville, TN, Maurice Girard (Odile) of Houston, TX, Richard Girard (Tina) of Suffolk, VA, Mark Girard (Terry) of Smithfield, VA, and Christopher Girard of Raleigh, NC.  She had 20 grandchildren:  Jennifer Merry, John Merry, Kevin Girard, Aubrey Girard-Bawa (Akbar), Jackie Harwood (Steven), Justin Gold, Jeremy Pierce, Melanie Pierce, Elizabeth Girard, David Girard, Niki Sadler (Rich), Tina Hewitt (Gary), Chris Jones, Andrew Girard (Kaitlyn), Rebecca Girard, Lauren Alton, Brandie Barnette (Tommy), Christopher Girard, Jr. (Emily), Brittany Girard and Chelsey Girard.  She had 13 great grandchildren: Jeana Bonny, Celia Girard, Ethan Girard, Azara Bawa, Aalia Bawa, Steven Harwood, Jr., Joshua Harwood, Andrew Van Buren, Zachary Van Buren, Zoey Sadler, Lucas Hewitt, Lexie Hewitt, and Aubrey Patterson.  She is also survived by 3 siblings: sister; Mary Jeannette Koerner and brothers; William W. Prior, Evert D. Prior and Maurice T. Prior, and numerous nieces and nephews.

After many years as a loving military wife and mother, she worked for Tidewater Community College and retired from Thomas Nelson Community College as the Supervisor in the Veterans Affairs Office. 

 Patricia was a past member of the American Legion Post 49 Ladies Auxiliary and Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Smithfield.  She was currently a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Hendersonville, TN.

 Services will be on November 17, 2023 at Little’s Funeral Home with visitation at 9 am; funeral services at 10 am followed by burial at St. Luke’s Cemetery.  A visitation reception will be held at the home of Mark and Terry Girard, 3250 S. Shore Drive, Smithfield, VA 23430.

 Charitable donations in lieu of flowers can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.