Patricia Frisby

On September 17, 2021, at 8:18pm, Ms. Patricia Ann Frisby (Robertson) (maiden Hardin) who was better known as Big Granny to her family or Patsy to her friends, at age 75, drew her last breath with her head laid on her pillow, in her room, in her home, with a smile on her face just like she wanted after a valiant battle with lung cancer.

Big Granny was the 7th child born on December 4th, 1945, to Rufus F. Hardin & Katie L. Hardin (Oliver) in Winter Haven, Florida. Shortly, thereafter the family moved to Ashburn, Georgia where Patsy grew up surrounded by a huge family and made lifelong friends. She went to school in Ashburn her whole childhood and graduated Turner County High School in 1965 with 4 years of Future Homemakers of America. Her father was a founding member of Westside Baptist church in Ashburn and Patsy was a member her whole childhood until she married and moved away. Big Granny had many different stories she fondly told her family about her life experiences, people she knew, and jobs she did while growing up which included working in the various agricultural crops around Ashburn such as watermelon, cotton, and of course peanuts; as a cashier at the movie theater; babysitting everyone’s children; and the best story of all was working as a waitress where she met the first love of her life.

In September 1966, Patsy met James F. Robertson (better known as JR to everyone but Patsy called him Jimmy) while working as a waitress in a little restaurant in the heart of Ashburn. Their first date was on Labor Day, September 5, 1966. They went to see The Ten Commandments at the movies and visited a park near Lake Blackshear. They fell in love very quickly and by the next date Jimmy told Patsy he was going to marry her. She was a bit spectacle and told him he didn’t even have a ring. So, Jimmy took Patsy hand and walked her into a nearby jewelry store and told her, “Pick out your ring”. Patsy picked out her ring.

On October 9, 1966 (a little over a month), Patsy married Jimmy in Ashburn, Georgia. Patsy and Jimmy then began a very adventurous life together and soon had 4 daughters: Patricia Ann, Mary Jane, Wanda Kate, and Katherine Louise. Over the course of their life together, they lived in several different states (Georgia, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Indiana, Colorado, and Wyoming) while he worked various jobs. Patsy was primarily a homemaker to her daughters during that time but still did various jobs along the way such as babysitting other people’s children, caring for the elderly, waitressing and running a motel. They took their family on many vacations across country to visit with family and always had an open door to anyone who needed a place to stay or was hungry and needed to be feed. During their life together their daughters brought countless friends’ home to stay with them and all those children became their children along the way. So, in truth the number of children they have is beyond number because everyone thought of Patsy as their mother also. Patsy would lovingly describe her life with Jimmy as the best years of her life and hardest years of her life at the same time. Through the good times or bad Patsy always knew Jimmy would do anything for her and their children. On July 5, 1994, Patsy whole world turned upside down and devasted her. Patsy became a widow when Jimmy died of a massive heart attack in the hospital in Rawlins, Wyoming unexpectantly. God blessed them with 28 years together on this earth. Patsy laid Jimmy to rest in Rawlins, Wyoming and that is where Patsy will also be buried in the City of Rawlins cemetery side by side.

In late 1995 and early 1996, Patsy began dating Raymond L. Frisby (better known as Ray) while she was managing the Ideal Motel in Rawlins, Wyoming after Jimmy had passed away. Patsy would fondly tell people how Ray was working for Anderson Columbia as a Construction supervisor in town at the time and multiple women were pursuing him because he was such a handsome man and very influential, but he pursued her over all them. They were friends first, but they quickly fell in love. On April 6, 1996, in Rawlins, Wyoming, Patsy married Ray, the second love of her life. She then became a Stepmother to his grown children: Michael (Mikey) and Elizabeth.

Patsy soon retired from the motel after they married and began traveling with Ray wherever this construction jobs took them all over Wyoming. Patsy loved to talk about how much she enjoyed those various towns they lived in that she had never been to before. Ray spoiled Patsy is how she best described him. As time went by Ray was injured while trying to help another person and he became disabled. Ray and Patsy then settled and lived in Casper, Wyoming where Patsy once again started taking care of elderly people while also helping her disabled husband. On May 3, 2013, Patsy became a widow again when her beloved Ray passed away due to extended illness in Casper, Wyoming. God blessed them with 17 years together on this Earth. Ray was cremated but a part of him will remain with Patsy.

Big Granny was a beautiful, kind, generous, sweet, loving, nurturing, beloved, Christian women, and so much more that words cannot due her justice. Simply put, if you knew her you loved her and she loved you. The kind of love that surpasses any understanding. Her children were her crown jewels, her grandchildren were her beloved and priceless treasures, and her great grandchildren were God’s gift back to her for a job well done. Her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will remember her with so much love it will bring tears to your eyes. Big Granny played all kind of games with them inside and outside the house, loved planting flowers, loved feeding the birds, loved making crafts, colored countless coloring books with each one of them, sang songs to them day and night, danced joyfully with anyone who wanted to dance, went on adventures anywhere you wanted to go, told magical bedtime stories, drew and painted beautiful pictures, watched cartoons and kids movies or just TV with anyone in the room, made yummy meals and desserts, brushed and combed their hair, washed and changed everyone’s clothes, made sure everyone took their baths and brushed their teeth, took us to church, taught Sunday school, tucked us into bed but also let us sleep in her arms or climb under her covers, took care of us when we were sad or happy or sick or well, and she prayed day and night for everyone all the time. Big Granny lived a life of service to everyone and gave her all to every person she encountered. She was pure and simply a perfect example of what love is supposed to be.

Big Granny Patsy is survived by her daughters: Patricia Ann Sistrunk (Hank) of Lake City, Florida; Mary Jane Sanchez of Grand Junction, Colorado; Wanda Kate Collins (Timmy) of Lake City, Florida; and Katherine Louise Hoehl-Cirillo (John) of Morris Town, New Jersey. Stepchildren: Michael (Mikey) Frisby and Elizabeth Frisby both of Casper, Wyoming. Grandchildren: Melissa Capps, Brandy Sistrunk, James Robertson, Jonathan Sanchez, Cody Collins, Keely Hoehl, Jessica Hoehl, Bailey Hoehl, and Jason Cirillo. Great Grandchildren: Hayleigh Capps, TyTy Capps, and Annie Grace Capps.

Big Granny Patsy was predeceased by her parents Rufus F. Hardin & Katie L. Hardin and her two husbands James F. Robertson and Raymond L. Frisby. As well as her sisters Christine Hannaford, Susie Mae Dembowski, Loretta Thomas, and Katie Kuntarich (2 sisters died at birth).

Final Arrangements:

The Viewing will be at Gateway-Forrest Lawn (3596 South Highway 441, Lake City, Florida 32056), on Thursday, September 23, 2021, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

The Funeral will be at Gateway-Forrest Lawn (3596 South Highway 441, Lake City, Florida 32056), on Friday, September 24, 2021, from 2:00pm until complete. Family and friends who cannot attend in person can view the funeral via live stream by visiting Gateway-Forrest Lawn on Facebook.

The Bereavement dinner for family and friends will be at Huntsville Baptist Church (5720 NW Lake Jeffery Rd, Lake City, FL 32055) immediately following the funeral.

The Graveside service will be in Wyoming and handled by Jacoby Funeral Home (702 E. Walnut Street, Rawlins, Wyoming 82301), on Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at 2:00pm at the City of Rawlins Cemetery. Family in Wyoming who wish to attend the Graveside service please contact one of the daughters for specific details.