Patricia Chavis

Patricia Chavis 78 of St. Petersburg passed away July 2, 2016 at her home. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Felix Jacobs (1953) and Rochelle Godwin Jacobs (1963); a brother, John Gary Jacobs (1966). She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Stoney Brooks Chavis; two sons, Chris (Tatanka) Chavis (Michelle) of St. Petersburg, FL and Sean Chavis of Afghanistan; six grandchildren, Christiana, Rhea, Joseph, Jeremiah, Zachary, and Jayden; two sisters, Joyce Hunt (John H (2016)) of Mechanicsville, VA, and Peggy Locklear of Pembroke, and one brother, William (Buddy) Jacobs (Ella Mae) of Pembroke; several nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends. Patricia and Stoney were married in 1957 and lived in Pembroke until they moved to Hampton, VA in 1959. While there, Patricia worked for many years with the public city schools of Hampton, VA and Stoney worked at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company building aircraft carriers and submarines. When Stoney retired in 1995, he and Patricia began a life of sun-filled retirement in St. Petersburg, FL. This was time for them to relax and for Stoney to spend with the love of his life. For many years, they spent time with each other, with Stoney’s sister, Charsie Chavis McNeill, and many, many family visitors. Their oldest son, Chris, a wrestler (Tatanka) in the WWE, lives nearby and their youngest son, Sean, a private contractor air traffic controller in Afghanistan, retired in 2016 as a Chief Petty Officer (CPO) from the US Navy. Then began the long decent. Patricia was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2010 and forever after Stoney was her primary caregiver. For many years - every day and every night - Stoney talked to Patricia and held her hand. Slowly Patricia went to a place within herself. Yet, while alone in her mind, she was never really alone. No matter how far away Patricia seemed to be, she always seemed to recognize Stoney’s voice and touch – the man she felt most at home with. Alzheimer’s is not a disease that is suffered only by the afflicted; the ones that love also suffer. Every day, every quiet day, is a day slipped away. The days pass by and memories pass by, too; they are forgotten. But Stoney and Patricia’s love continued to grow and sustain their relationship until she was called home to be with her loved ones in Heaven. Services and burial will be in North Carolina. David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Central Avenue Chapel in St. Petersburg is serving the family. Service Information