Patricia J. Bedingfield, 83

Mrs. Patricia J. Bedingfield, age 83, of Swainsboro, passed away Friday, September 12, 2025, at Emanuel Medical Center. Funeral services were held Monday, September 15, at 1 p.m. at Calvary Methodist Church with Rev. Nick Hazelton officiating and Rev. Tom Tidwell assisting. Interment followed at Swainsboro City Cemetery. Family received friends one hour prior to the service at Calvary Methodist Church.

Pallbearers were Steve Deal, Keith Deal, Rhett Lermy, Walt Foskey, Wes Foskey and Taylor Davis.

Pat was born August 11, 1942, in Swainsboro, to the late Andrew Jackson Johns and Sarah “Sallie” Martin Johns. She grew up in Swainsboro and graduated from Swainsboro High School in 1960. During high school, Pat worked after school at Argo Mills counting tickets. After graduation, she attended business school in Orlando, FL then returned to Swainsboro to work at Argo Mills in the front office. Later, Pat was promoted to office manager and then eventually personnel director. She continued in that position until the plant closed in 1995. When Argo Mills closed, Pat went to work for Robins Federal Credit Union for the following eight years after which she retired to enjoy her grandchildren. After retirement, she worked part-time at The Sunshine House and coordinated the First Steps Program for newborns.

In 1962, Pat married her high school sweetheart, Wade Bedingfield, and they were married for 60 years until Wade passed in 2022. During their years together, they enjoyed family time with their daughters, camping, and making pottery and hand-made soap. Pat was a lifelong member of Calvary Methodist Church. Serving her church family was a priority for her entire life where she held multiple leadership positions including youth and adult Sunday School teacher, MYF director, and United Methodist Women local and district President as well as other positions. Pat served on many church committees, including Pastor Parish Relations, Vacation Bible School planning committee, but her favorite was organizing and working the annual Pumpkin Patch Event for families and children of the community.

Perhaps the greatest joy of Pat’s life was the three weeks each summer she and Wade hosted her three grandchildren. By hosting each child a different week of the summer, they planned activities and meals targeted to that child’s individual preferences making lasting memories for all. Mrs. Bedingfield is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Larry Wade Bedingfield; brother, Joe Martin.

Mrs. Bedingfield is survived by her daughters, Kim Bedingfield Foskey (Jerry) of Birmingham, Alabama and Dr. Karen Bedingfield Ross (Dennis) of Swainsboro; grandchildren, Walt Foskey (Caitlin), Hope Foskey Davis (Taylor) and Wes Foskey (Cassidy); great-grandchildren, Wells Wade Foskey, Graham Christopher Davis, Reese Eleanor Foskey, Grayson Caleb Davis, Blakely June Foskey, Ford Hudson Foskey, Abigail Hope Davis and Wright Alexander Foskey; sister, Mary Deal of Swainsboro; faithful caregivers, Laney Claxton, Victoria Canady, Kathy Hopkins, Melisssa Radford, Corene Johnson and Cathalene Ricks; several nieces, nephews and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Calvary Methodist Church at 421 South Main Street

Swainsboro, GA 30401.

Durden Hudson Funeral Directors was in charge of arrangements.