Pattie Whitfield Duke Nelson

Born February 5, 1927 in Duplin County, NC, to Jesse and Alice Whitfield, Pattie was the youngest of seven children. She graduated from Mt Olive High School in 1943, then Meredith College in 1947 with degrees in business and mathematics.

Pattie raised a family of three children while living in Durham, NC with husband, Joe. Following his death, she and her second husband, Carl, enjoyed a full, enriching life in Wilmington, where they were active members of Pine Valley United Methodist Church. Pattie died while living at the Stratford Retirement Center in High Point.

She was an avid UNC Tarheel and Carolina Panthers fan. Her other hobbies included bridge, travel, square dancing, bowling, camping, senior Olympics, crafts, snapshot photography and church activities. Pattie was a warm, friendly and caring person who always wore a smile and never sat still until she was forced to do so by physical limitations. Her love and commitment to family and friends, for whom she had many, was ever-present, ever-lasting and deep.

Pattie was preceded in death by her first husband, Joe W. Duke, Jr and four sisters and two brothers. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 38 years, A. Carl Nelson, and children Kathryn Duke of Greensboro, Richard Duke (Suttee) of Chapel Hill and Joe Duke (Karen) of Texas. Also surviving her are four stepchildren, Wayne Nelson of Chapel Hill, Glenn Nelson of Charlotte, Alan Nelson of Charlotte, Donald Nelson of Florida, and grandchildren Michael Duke and Taylor Duke of Texas, Alexandra Nelson and Sharon Nelson of Charlotte and Jordan Nelson of Florida.