Patricia Helen Harding

Patricia Helen (Mata) Harding of Saint Augustine, FL, completed her Earthly journey Dec 26, 2022. She was born March 28, 1945 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, in Parkersburg, WV to Butch and Delores Tyler. She was adopted as an infant by Raymond and Mary Mata, and attended DeSales Heights, McKinley, VanDevender, and Parkersburg High School before transferring to Williamstown HS and graduating with the class of 1963. While attending school, Patty was a member of the band and symphony having played trombone and violin. After graduation, Patty enlisted in the United States Army where she served her country during the Vietnam War as an x-ray technician. She was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, where she met an instructor of dental sciences named Ray. Ray and Patty were married on June 5th, 1964. Upon the end of their enlistments, Ray and Patty lived in Jacksonville, FL moved to Parkersburg in early 1966, and settled in Vienna in 1978. Patty worked as a stay at home child care provider for many years. Caring for children and sharing Jesus with them was Patty’s calling, and she cherished them all. Patty and her family attended First United Methodist Church, Parkersburg, during their time in WV. She was active in the Susannah ladies ministry circle and was a member of the Sanctuary Choir. Patty loved all religious music, but had a special place in her heart for Southern Gospel and the group, Greater Vision. Upon moving to FL, Patty and Ray joined Grace UMC in St. Augustine. Patty leaves behind her husband of 58 years, Raymond Harding of St Augustine, FL, daughter Diane (Greg) Burd of Patterson, GA, daughter Jan Rapp of St Augustine, FL, grandson David (Melissa) Wright of St Augustine, granddaughter Morgan (Logan Raines) Wright of Williamstown, WV, and great-grandson Coltyn Wright of St Augustine, FL. Patty’s most precious moments were with her family and she considered them her greatest accomplishment. In addition to her immediate family, Patty leaves behind extended family members, including life-long friends: Kay Martin and Patty Stewart. Patty was preceded in death by both her biological and adoptive parents, her father and mother-in-law Harold and Bertha Harding, brother Reverend Doctor Charles Bowyer, sister Nancy Erickson, son-in-law Jim Rapp, and baby grandson Mason Wright. The family would like to thank Patty’s doctors and nurses, Ponce Rehabilitation Facility, and the Bailey Center/Hospice facility at Flagler Hospital. Also, many thanks to everyone at St. Johns Family Funeral Home for their love and compassion during this time. A memorial gathering will be held at St. Johns FFH, St. Augustine, FL, Wednesday, January 4th at 11am, with the family receiving visitors 1 hr prior. A private, graveside service will be held for the family following the service. Patty will be interned with full military honors at the Jacksonville National Military Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.stjohnsfamilyfuneralhome.com For those who are unable to attend the service, it will be live-streamed at https://iframe.dacast.com/live/2a7a09ae1c0559a83ef537e05e6a14a6/2aae7d5f-98fd-a9e6-32a7-b774547cf42c In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Patty’s memory to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.

Patricia Helen Harding

March 28, 1945 - December 26, 2022