Patricia Blakely

The Blakely family bows in honor to our Heavenly Father for the commitment of one of His dedicated angels.

Patricia Ann Kirkland Blakely, 91, of Richmond, VA, passed away on December 31, 2025. A devoted wife and mother, she lived a life characterized by commitment to her family and her faith.

Patricia was born in Richmond on April 15, 1934, the only child of John Carlton Kirkland and Selma Wilkerson Kirkland. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1951 and followed her calling to the King’s Daughters Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1954.

On November 6, 1954, Patricia married David Dewey Blakely, Jr. Their 71-year marriage was a testament to love and shared purpose. From 1957 to 2008, Patricia served as a committed pastor’s wife, supporting David’s ministries in Parsons, TN; Chase City, VA; Creedmoor, NC; and Altavista, VA.

Patricia’s nursing career spanned decades and various specialized fields. Her leadership was evident in her roles as:

Leadership: Head Nurse at the Mecklenburg Correctional Center (Boydton, VA); Psychiatric Head Nurse at John Umstead Psychiatric Hospital; and Head Nurse at the Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center (Butner, NC).

Hospital Service: Staff and leadership positions at King’s Daughters Hospital, Jackson Madison County Hospital (TN), Baptist Hospital (Lynchburg, VA), Henrico Doctor’s Hospital, and Chippenham Hospital (including Tucker’s Pavilion).

Community Care: Serving as the seminary nurse at Southeastern Theological Seminary and as an office nurse for Dr. Phillips in Chase City, VA.

Patricia’s legacy of love lives on through her surviving family:

Husband: Rev. David Dewey Blakely, Jr.

Children: Susan Lee Blakely (Joey Tucker) of Raleigh, NC; John Edward Blakely (Nadine Bugg Blakely) of Forest, VA; Lillian Rebecca Schrinel (Michael Schrinel) of Manakin Sabot, VA; and Robert Carlton Blakely (Donna Zutaut Blakely) of Southport, NC.

Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren: 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

The family expresses deep gratitude to Verneda Muhammad, Patricia’s much-loved caregiver and "daughter," who provided devoted and tender nursing care throughout her three years of infirmity.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Oakhurst Cemetery, Buffalo Road, Clarksville, VA. If the weather is inclement on Saturday the funeral will be held at Watkins Cooper Lyon Funeral Home. We will update our website and Facebook page accordingly. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Concord Baptist Church, c/o of Ms. Diane Wilkerson, HWY 47, Chase City, VA.