Patricia Ann (Costner) Devine

A memorial service will be conducted for Mrs. Patricia Ann Costner Devine at 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Statesville with Dr. Jack Causey officiating.  She died at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 Pat was born February 24, 1936 in Catawba County, NC to the late Luther and Nevert Scronce Costner.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Bob Costner and sisters, Betty Costner Caulter and Jill Costner.  She has two living sisters, Sylvia Costner Fox (Bill) of Vale, NC and Dian Costner Sisk (Bill) of Statesville. Pat is survived by Loy, her husband of 54 years and their son, Trevor and his wife, Ginny, and their two children, Jack and Zoe.  She will also be remembered by a number of nephews, nieces, and cousins. She also leaves behind many friends.  This includes members of her church family and several of the “girls” from her first two years of College at Appalachian State College. Her teacher’s training was completed at Lenoir-Rhyne College.  This was followed by teaching first grade in several school systems in North Carolina.  During this time, she was helping Loy as he attended College.  Later, she, Loy, and Trevor moved to Statesville. Due to health reasons her work in the classroom had to end.  However, Pat continued to express her love for children as a Sunday school teacher and her involvement with children’s activities in the community.  She loved the younger members of the extended family. Many who knew her were never aware of the extent of her heart issues which developed at the result of Rheumatic fever when she was eight years old.  This caused her to miss most of the year in school at the time.  As a result of the damage this did to her heart; there were several heart surgeries and other medical problems.  At the time of death, her heart was functioning with three artificial valves and her sixth pacemaker.  Through all of these events, Pat most often had a smile on her face and a positive attitude for life.  She never complained about her health, all the medication she had to take, or the thousands of needles that were stuck in her body. When told that other problems had developed and the doctors no longer could pull her through, Pat smiled and said “okay if that is the way it is.”  There were many years of preparing for death knowing that to live as she did that she had beaten the odds and that God had given her a long time to enjoy life and to enjoy her relationship with Him, her family, and her many friends. During Pat’s last days, she was not sick nor was she having any pain.  Up until the last two days, she was able to eat, to recognize and converse with family and friends, and to do so without complaining.  She peacefully went to sleep and left this difficult world behind. There will be a private burial service for the family at a later date. For those who wish to give a memorial gift, they may do so to the First Baptist Church at 815 Davie Ave., Statesville, NC 28677 ort to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.