Mary Alice Herlong Pattillo

Mary Alice Herlong Pattillo, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and servant to her church and community, died on September 15, 2026, in Ocala, Florida. She was 94.

Born on September 4, 1932, Mary Alice was the daughter of Albert Sydney “Syd” Herlong Jr. and Mary Alice Herlong. She grew up in Leesburg, Florida, as one of four daughters in a family deeply rooted in faith, public service, and the life of Central Florida. Her father later represented Florida in the United States House of Representatives for 20 years. She is a proud graduate of the University of Florida where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Western European History.

Mary Alice married Andrew G. “Pat” Pattillo Jr. on September 5, 1953. In 1954, the young couple moved to Ocala, where Pat practiced law and they raised their five children. Ocala remained Mary Alice’s home for more than seven decades.

Mary Alice and Pat became members of First United Methodist Church of Ocala where they faithfully served for many decades. Her faith found expression in a lifetime of service, particularly to children and families. She was instrumental in establishing a tutoring program through the church and helped begin its preschool program, which has now served generations of Ocala children and families for more than 50 years.

Mary Alice also devoted her time and leadership to Habitat for Humanity of Marion County, supporting its mission of helping local families obtain safe and affordable homes. Her work with Habitat, the church preschool, and the tutoring ministry reflected the values that guided her life.

Above all, Mary Alice’s life was centered on her family. She and Pat were married for 57 years before his death in 2010. Together, they built a family whose bonds extended across generations and distances. She was a devoted wife and mother and a proud grandmother and great-grandmother.

Mary Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew G. “Pat” Pattillo Jr., and her daughter, Anne Pattillo Kail. She is survived by her children, Pat Pattillo and his wife, Donna; Margaret Williams and her husband, Wayne; Nancy Barron; her son-in-law, Tom Kail; and Jim Pattillo and his wife, Amy; her grandchildren, Elizabeth Williams, Erin Williams, Jake Quick, Tanner Barron, Mac Barron, Catie Barron, Patrick Kail, Nathan Kail, Christian Kail, Will Pattillo, Matthew Pattillo, Abigail Pattillo, and Andrew Pattillo; her great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

No memorial service will be held. Mary Alice’s family will remember and celebrate her together at a later date in Crescent Beach, FL, a place she loved. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Marion County or to Residing Hope, formerly the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home.