Patty Loraine Spencer Zopff

Patty Loraine Spencer Zopff, 57, passed away peacefully to our Lord on Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, at her home in Shelbyville, after a 33 year struggle with cancer. Patty was born in Columbia, Tenn. to Armon Deuel and Barbara Ann Barr Spencer on Aug. 24, 1957. She is survived by a grandchild, Adam Spencer Lentz; sons, Matthew Spencer Lentz and Joshua Harrison Lentz; mother, Barbara Ann Spencer; daughter-in-law, Amber Leah Lentz; nephews, John Deuel and Dylan Armon Spencer; and her husband of 19 years, David Zopff. Patty was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in Shelbyville. Patty was preceded in death by her beloved father, Armon Deuel Spencer and brother, Terry Anthony Spencer. Patty graduated from Columbia Central High School in 1975, where she was drum major in the Lions marching band. Wanting to change lives, Patty obtained an associates degree in nursing (RN) from Columbia State Community College and a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of North Alabama. Patty was a registered nurse in Alabama, Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky during her 35-year career. She served in clinical nursing assignments at Maury Regional Hospital in Columbia, Helen Keller Memorial Hospital in Sheffield, Alabama, Jewish Hospital Shelbyville and University of Louisville. She practiced occupational health nursing at the Louisville Water Company, Rohm and Haas Company, and PPG Industries-Porter Paints in Louisville Kentucky, as well as Alcoa Hardened Alloys in Lafayette, Ind. Aside from enjoying her family, her very good friend Barbara Martin, and her puppy Gracie, Patty enjoyed basket weaving with several area basket guilds, camping/travel, needlework, reading, and gardening.
Funeral services were Nov. 1 at Riverside United Methodist Church with Rev. David Spencer and Rev. Tom Vann officiating. Patty was buried next to her father in Spring Hill Memorial Park, Spring Hill, Tenn. Friends are invited to celebrate Patty's life at a memorial service at Centenary United Methodist Church at 429 Main Street, Shelbyville, at 3 p.m. on Sunday with the Rev. Willard Knipp officiating. Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. Patty's family would like to express special gratitude to Pastor Knipp, the angels of Louisville Oncology-Norton Cancer Institute and Hosparus Louisville, and Dr. Joseph Smith of Vanderbilt University Hospital. In lieu of flowers, Patty wished for memorial donations to Hosparus (www.hosparus.com) and the Centenary United Methodist Church Youth Fund, http://shelbyvillemethodist.com. Condolences may be offered to Patty's family online at www.oakesandnichols.com.