Patricia Ann Kleinhans

Patricia Shannon Kleinhans died at home with Sue by her
side, in Dahlonega, Thursday, February 18th at the age of
86. Pat was born in Atlanta on April 12, 1929. She
attended Girls High in Atlanta, where she was a member of its last graduating class. She received a Bachelor of Arts in
English and a Masters in Librarianship both from the
University of South Carolina. Her early career was as a
teacher in the public schools of South Carolina. She was a
long time resident of Savannah where she worked in
several places as a librarian, the last being at St. Vincent’s
Academy. In 1998, she moved to Dahlonega where she
became an active member of the Unitarian Universalist
Church. Pat was a voracious reader, often reading as many
as 5-6 books at a time. Her passion for reading started as a
child, when she would read the encyclopedia at home since
she could check out only one book at a time from the local
library. She was a competitive and enthusiastic game
player, as well as an exceptional Scrabble player. Her
spelling acumen began in 1946, when she won the state
spelling bee, and it continued well into her 80s when she
was brought in as a ringer in several local spelling bees.
Being a sports enthusiast for many years, her social
calendar was often arranged around UNC basketball and
Atlanta Braves games. A long time supporter of the arts,
Pat championed local craftsmen and artists. She considered
herself lucky to be a child of the 30s, and found great
pleasure in listening to the music of the day, especially that
of Frank Sinatra. She was a member of church choirs for
most of her adult life, and played piano, most notably for
Disney fueled living room concerts with her granddaughter.
Cooking was another passion of Pat’s, and one her family
will greatly miss. Pat will be remembered by all as a loving
person. She was the guiding and supporting force that
allowed her family members to grow and become the
people they are today. Pat was preceded in death by her
parents, Reginald and Eva Shannon, brother David, and
son, Freddy. She is survived by her loving partner Sue, of
45 years, daughter Evie Garry Sheward of Havana, FL,
love of her life granddaughter Elizabeth of Gainesville, FL,
sister-in-law Alice Shannon, nephews Mike Shannon and
Steve Shannon, ex-husband Bill Kleinhans of Marianna,
FL, loving cousins, many friends, and beloved cats Rachel
and Beauregard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be
made in Pat’s name to the following; Unitarian Universalist
Church of Dahlonega, Homestead Hospice of Roswell, GA,
and/or Lumpkin Co. Public Library. A memorial service
will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in
Dahlonega on March 20, 2016 at 1:30 pm. Reception to
follow.