Patricia Hunt

Martha Patricia “Pat” Collins Hunt, born on February 22, 1935 in Waleska, Georgia to Tom and Willie Eaton Collins, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

Pat graduated from the Georgia State College for Women in 1955 with a B.S. in Home Economics, and further obtained her M.S. in Child Development and Family Relations. She met her future husband, the late James “Jim” E. Hunt, Sr. while teaching Child Development at Iowa State University. They married in 1958, two weeks before they moved to Kingsport for Jim’s employment with Eastman Kodak.

Since 1962, Pat was an active member of Colonial Heights Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher, teaching at the feet of her Lord and Savior for 58 years. Pat also served as church clerk and on many other church committees. She enjoyed directing weddings at church and volunteering with the American Red Cross.

Pat and Jim continued to enjoy a full life after retirement, traveling to all 50 states and Canada, providing for their children and grandchildren, and rooting for the Tennessee Vols. Pat was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jim, parents Tom and Willie Collins, sister Sarah Sue Collins Cleghorn, and son, William Hunt.

She is survived by her sister Mary Lou Collins Holbert; son, Rev. James (Cindy) Hunt, Jr., of McMinnville, TN, daughters, Barbara (Dan) Slay of Peachtree Corners, GA, and Carol (Patrick) Neighbors of Chapel Hill, NC; grandchildren who were all very special to her: Danal and Kyle Slay; Josh, Lauren, and Jake Hunt; Camden and Rowan Neighbors; and five great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home and Memorial Park (Tri-Cities Airport Location) from 1-2 p.m. Friday, December 27. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. with Rev. James E. Hunt, Jr., presiding. 

A family only committal service will follow in the Garden of Everlasting Life.

Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, samaritanspurse.org.