Patricia Ann Brannen Blitch of Statesboro, Ga., passed away at home on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at the age of 84. She was born in Metter, GA August 6, 1938, and was the second baby and first female ever delivered in the Metter Hospital to the proud parents of Susie Bennett and Hubert “Pat” Brannen. Patricia was the oldest daughter of Pat and Sue. She grew up, went to college, and lived a full life in Statesboro. She graduated from Statesboro High School in 1956 and continued her education at Georgia Teacher’s College before she married her one true love, James “Jimmy” Blitch, in 1958. They would have celebrated their 65th anniversary on September 7th.
Patricia and Jimmy raised four children, Susan Bozeman, Jo Helen Propes, Matt Blitch, and Patty Harris. She planned the weddings of each child and welcomed their spouses, Darek, Bubba, Betsy, and Joey, with open arms. She found another level of love in her heart for her grandchildren: Bennett Bozeman and his wife Meghan, Elliott Propes, Blitch Propes, Joseph Propes, Mathew Blitch, Tatum Blitch, Henry Blitch, Liza Standridge, Charlee Standridge, Sydney Standridge, Walker Harris and Sam Harris. She was thankful and felt so blessed to have two great-grandchildren, Teddi and Blair Bozeman. Patricia is also survived by her sister, Lanier Begeman, and her husband, Fred and their children Hadley and Patrick Hege and brother-in-law Carter Hopkins and his children Carter and Patrick Hopkins. Proceeding her in death are her parents, Sue and Pat Brannen, and two of her beloved sisters, Beverly Brannen Hopkins and Faye Bennett Anderson.
Patricia loved her church, First Baptist Church, served on the Flower Guild for years and was an active member of the Margaret Carroll Sunday School Class. She loved fashion and shopping. Patricia was always a fashion piece and always looked her best, just as her grandmother Pearl taught her. She opened the Clothes Basket in 1980 with two of her close friends and had the best time with them, her customers, and keeping her three girls dressed to the nines. Patricia was a Bulloch Academy founder and a constant volunteer, served on the board for Joseph Home for Boys in Statesboro, and was a founding member of the Statesboro Service League, where she remained active for years. Patricia and Jimmy loved to dance, were members of several dance clubs, and always had a full social calendar with their friends, who they considered family.
Patricia had many loves. Her family was utmost, her friends being a close second, and then, of course, being at her beach house on Fripp Island in South Carolina, where she loved to read, spend time with her cousins, fish and watch the sunset. She loved her lifelong friends and family in Statesboro. She was passionate about playing bridge with her close friends, traveling the world with her husband and girls, including Europe, China, Thailand, and Israel, cooking, and entertaining. Her favorite holidays were Thanksgiving and Christmas, when she hosted the whole family on the farm for hunting, watching football, and fabulous dinners. She was steadfast in her faith in Jesus Christ. As Jimmy recently passed, we know they are celebrating being together now in heaven. This gives all of us peace.
A private graveside service will be held on Sunday at Eastside Cemetery.
The family will receive guests at the family home, Blitch Place, 6879 Westside Road, on Sunday, September 4, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in Patricia’s memory can be made to First Baptist Church Statesboro, 108 N. Main Street, Statesboro, GA 30458.
Friends may sign the online register book at www.joineranderson.com
Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home & Crematory of Statesboro is in charge of arrangements.