Patricia Ann "Pat" Cully

CULLY, Patricia "Pat" Ann Beach, was born October 30, 1939, in Exmore, Virginia. She passed away on April 10, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene Beach and Thelma Gladstone Beach. She is survived by her daughter, Tracy (Jeff) Coogle; and son, Brennan (Ericka) Cully; and by six beloved grandchildren, Kelly Coogle, Caroline Coogle, Ian Cully, Katie Cully, Rebecca Coogle and Jack Cully.

Pat Cully was a daughter, a mother and mother-in-law, a grandmother . . . and an artist. In fact, if you've lived in Virginia for any length of time or visited the Outer Banks in North Carolina, chances are you've seen Pat's artwork. Following her graduation in 1961 from Richmond Professional Institute (now, VCU), Pat accepted a position with the advertising department at Miller & Rhoads, where she worked for the better part of 25 years creating hundreds of detailed images that appeared locally in stores and in Miller & Rhoads catalogs and advertisements all across Virginia. When Miller & Rhoads closed its doors in 1989, Pat accepted a position in the advertising department at Thalhimers, until they also closed two years later. In 1991, Pat Cully Illustrations was born.

Pat would create beautifully detailed pen-and-ink renderings lighthouses and historic landmarks. She soon expanded her portfolio to include sketches of Virginia wildlife and foliage. Her artwork was and is featured on mugs, t-shirts, notecards and tote bags sold throughout Virginia and in boutique shops along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. In addition, for nearly two decades, Pat was commissioned by the General Assembly each year to create a drawing that would become the symbol for that year's session and used on General Assembly mugs and t-shirts. She was also the commissioned artist for the Richmond Parade of Homes, drawing as many as 140 houses every year beginning in the late '90s and continuing all the way to the start of the COVID pandemic.

Pat lived a strong but quiet faith and she showed Christ's love through her works. She was an active member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church at Brook Hill where she served on the vestry and numerous other committees through the years. Her real passion was found in service to others.

After losing her parents in 1999 and 2001, Pat found solace in a small beach house in Rodanthe, North Carolina. For nearly 20 years, she generously opened her beach home to family and friends to share laughter, food and friendship.

Pat was an avid baseball fan. She was happy watching just about any team play, but she cheered loudest for the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Guardians.

Pat loved to travel. She embraced the opportunity to make countless trips to Walt Disney World; she enjoyed innumerable cross-country adventures to Colorado and throughout the southwest; and every summer she looked forward to the annual beach trip to Topsail Island or the Outer Banks. She loved Key West - one of her "favorite places on earth."

Of course, what she cherished the most -- more than travel, more than baseball, more even than her art – was time with her family. She was exceptionally close not only with her daughter and son but with each of her six grandchildren. Pat showed us all how to live life to its absolute fullest and to do so with the utmost grace and kindness. Her presence was a gift in our lives and there are not enough words to describe how much she will be missed or how deeply she was loved.

A celebration of life will be planned for July 2023.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church at Brook Hill or the charity of your choice.