Kay Carlton Patrick

Kay Carlton Patrick, 78, of Ashland, Va, formerly of West Jefferson, NC, passed away Sunday, March 30, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was the son of the late James Garfield and Chessie Lee Faircloth Patrick.

Kay, along with his wife Marilyn, owned K&M Auto Service since 1978 but he also had a shop in Ashland since 1970. Many moons ago, there were only 4 full service gas stations at the I95 Route 54 interchange. There were brick ranchers on Route 54 at that time as well. This is when Kay operated Ashland Sunoco. He was operating there during the fuel shortage in 1973.

Since that time, Kay had repaired thousands of vehicles. Some of those vehicles have belonged to loyal customers, and some were from towing someone off I95 because of a breakdown or accident. Numerous young teens would work at his shop after school hours and during summer break. Several of them kept in touch with Kay.

Back in the day, Kay had a full head of red hair. Raising three teenage daughters and a son made a lot of that hair fall out. Over the years, he has been called by many names. Most of those have been nice names, but there are always a few that weren’t so nice. Some of those names include Kay, Red, Patrick, Pat, Mr. Patrick, Papa, Pop, and of course, Daddy. Kay loved his flowers, green onions, and country music.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Marilyn Ayers Patrick; son, James Douglas Hall; two brothers, Walter Ted Patrick and Clarence Edward "Eddie" Patrick; three sisters, Geraldine Massey, Myrtle Ruth Patrick, and Martha Loggins.

He is survived by three daughters, Melissa Patrick; Cheryl Patrick; Sharon Crawley (Michael); four grandsons - Dalton, Cody(Ashley), and Colton Crawley; Justin Fleenor (LaToya); one great-grandson - Jaelyn Fleenor; four sisters, Earlene Hill, Bobbie Wingler, Becky Pearson all of North Carolina; Mildred Sexton (Roy) of Fries, VA; two brothers, Ray Patrick of North Carolina; Joe Patrick (Linda) of Woodford, VA. As well as his closest friends, William “Joe” Askew, Jimmy Long and Burleigh Kay.

Special thanks to Rebecca Crum for her care and compassion as his aide throughout the last year.

Visitation is scheduled for Monday, April 21, 2025 from 12 PM until the time of funeral service at 1 PM at Nelsen Funeral Home Reid Chapel, 412 S. Washington Hwy., Ashland, VA 23005. A graveside service will occur privately at Greenlawn Cemetery, 17623 Lakewood Rd, Bowling Green, VA 22427 on a different date.

Pastor David Remner and Pastor Mildred Mabe will be presiding.