Patricia Howell Nessmith

Patricia Howell Nessmith, of Sneads, FL, passed away Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at the age of 85. She was a lifelong resident of Sneads, FL and was born on August 6, 1940 to the late Carl A. Howell and Jimmie Lee Godfrey.

Patricia was the beloved matriarch of a large and loving family. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Carl Godfrey. She will be greatly missed by her daughters, Diana Lee Grace, of Chattahoochee, and Sandra Kirkland, of Sneads; her sister-in-law, Betty Howell; her cherished grandchildren, Brandon Thigpen, Joseph Kirkland, Damarcus Brown; great grandchildren, Adrayona Adams Thigpen, Lil Brandon Adams Thigpen, Jasmine Kirkland, Jade Kirkland, Cloe Kirkland, Kennedy Kirkland, Kingston Kirkland, Demarcus Brown, Jr., Mikalah Brown, Calion Brown, Caspen Brown, Summer Brown, Mari Brown and CJ Brown; along with her adored great-great-grandchild, Tahari Kirkland.

Patricia graduated from Sneads High School, where she embraced education and forged lifelong friendships that would stand the test of time. Her professional life was marked by an impressive 30-year tenure at the Florida State Hospital, where she dedicated herself to the wellbeing of others until her well-earned retirement.

A devout Christian, Patricia was an integral member of Sneads First Baptist Church. Her voice, a comforting presence in the choir, and her active participation in the 2x2 Sunday School Class, reflected her unwavering commitment to her faith. Patricia found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She relished the beauty of her flowers, watching her hummingbirds and spending time with her grandchildren. Her days were colored by the peace found in reading her Bible and in her devotion to the Lord.

Patricia eagerly anticipated the holiday seasons, especially the church's annual fall festival, not just for the fellowship but for the joy of investing time and attention in the children of her community. Friends were an integral part of Patricia's life, and her vibrant social circle included treasured moments spent at Pappy Tom's Restaurant alongside her dear friends, Virginia Banks, Mary Frances Kirkland, Eugenia Howell, Barbara Sauls, Carol Shaw, and Nina Edin.

"Farewell, Dear Mother,

Somewhere in our hearts beneath all our grief and pain, is a smile we still wear at the sound of your dear name.

The precious word is "MOTHER", she was our world you see,

But now our hearts are breaking cause she's no longer here with us. God chose her for His angel to watch us from above,

To guide us and advise us and know that we are still loved.

The day she had to leave us when her life on earth was through, God had better plans for her, for this, we surely knew.

When we think of her kind heart and all those loving years, our memories surround us and we can't hold back the tears.

She was truly our best friend, someone we could confide in, She always had a tender touch and a warm gentle grin.

We want to thank you Mother for teaching us so well, And though the time has come that we must bid you farewell. Remember all you've taught us and make you proud you'll see.

Thank you, our dear Mother, for all the love you showed us. Although you've left this earth and now you've taken flight, we know that you are here with us each morning, noon and night… You will always be here with us Mama."

Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at Sneads First Baptist Church with Reverend Robert Johns officiating and Marianna Chapel Funeral Home directing. Interment will follow in Dykes Cemetery.

The family will receive friends for visitation one hour prior to the service at the church.

Those serving as pallbearers will be: Brandon Thigpen, Joseph Kirkland, Jerry Godfrey, Gerald Stephens, Curtis McCorkel and Millard Roberts.

Funeral services are entrusted to the Lambe Family at Marianna Chapel Funeral Home.