Patricia McVey Brock, age 68, passed away peacefully at her home on December 22, 2025.
Pat was born in San Francisco, CA on May 31,1957, as her Father served in the Armed
Services for the Coast Guard. As she grew up, she attended school in several states as her family followed her Dad's career in the military. After high school, Pat got her college degrees at Freed Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn.
Her teaching jobs started in Madison, Miss. After teaching in high school, she was hired at UMMC to work in the Pulmonary lab where she worked her way up to Head Tech. Here she did lab work and trained future doctors performing lab tests and how to administer tests for drawing blood to check for blood gases and infections.
After she left UMMC, she resumed her teaching career in the Jackson Public School system. She taught math, science and other classes in several schools in Jackson, MS. After moving to Lexington, MS, she worked in the emergency room at the hospital for a short period. Pat resumed her work as a teacher after her move to Yazoo City. She taught several classes in history and other subjects at Manchester Academy. The next year Pat taught students chemistry classes and history at Benton Academy.
After her first year at Benton, She had an accident from which she never recovered. She taught from a wheelchair for a little over a semester until after seeing many doctors about her injuries, she was told she had to quit teaching.
She worked with physical therapist to regain her health. She never recovered enough to return to teaching, but when the massive tornado hit Yazoo City, she took a leading role in securing needed supplies for the victims and their families. Pat called friends she knew from college and churches from around the country. Soon 18-wheeler trucks were rolling into Yazoo City with supplies. Soon volunteers were coming from around the country. When Yazoo business and civic leaders formed a recovery team, Pat was asked to be the secretary.
The members of the recovery team worked for many 16-20 hour days for many months. But when their work was nearly finished, the flood hit rural areas in Yazoo County. The Recovery Team" did not blink, they tackled this disaster also to help locals recover.
After the recovery from the disasters. Pat turned her to true love, honoring those who served our country, the Armed Services and first responders, she organized a parade for those who served and died for OUR COUNTRY. Local businesses and volunteers made floats and rides for those who served. Many turned out to see and be in the parade.
Pat wanted to do this annually to honor our heroes in November. But there was another way to show our appreciation, Pat contacted the people who did the Vietnam Wall in cities around the country.
Yazoo City got lucky, they agreed their last stop that year would be here. Pat got busy and local businesses and volunteers agreed to supply equipment and labor needed. Thousands of people came to see the wall that honored those that gave their life for freedom the week before Veterans Day and the second parade for our heroes.
On New Years Day of 2016, Pat fell ill and had to have emergency surgery. She survived the surgery but her health never fully recovered. Though she fought hard, a series of illnesses slowly robbed of her strength, but she never ever gave up her love and respect for our service men and women and our first responders.
Pat had a special request. Don't send flowers, buy lunch for a first responder or someone in the armed services. Thank you.
