Pat Ketchie

Pat Ketchie, “Neena,” age 80, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2022, in Salt Springs, FL.

In 1989, she moved to Salt Springs, which she fondly called her little slice of heaven.

Pat was born Mildred Irene Knox to the late Joseph Knox and Emily Crum Knox on April 13, 1941, in Brooksville, Florida.

She is preceded in death by her daughter Teah Willis Cook, her brothers James "Jim” DeVore, Bertie DeVore, David DeVore, and a sister Ellen DeVore Vohun.

She is survived by her son, Robert Willis (Darlene), Grandson Robbie Cook, granddaughters Kaylee Willis and Sandy Cook, great-granddaughter Jena Cook, and Great grandsons Jerrick Ehrlund, Will Silverthorne, Landon and Ryker Cook, nephews Jerry DeVore, Tim Devore, Brent Vohun, and great nephews and niece Zachary, Cody, and Emily Devore.

Pat was proud of her Southern Pioneer heritage, often sharing many colorful family history stories. Her ancestors were part of the cattle herders who helped shape early Florida. She was a fifth-generation Hernando Countian, and one branch of her family goes back to 1763 in St. Augustine. As her 20+ cousins fondly knew her, Patsy grew up helping with the extended family's cattle and farm work with her late Papa David Maxie Crum and Grandma Emily Alice Eiland Crum. She grew up hunting, fishing, playing, and vacationing with her cousins, her lifelong friends.

Pat graduated from Hernando High School in 1959 and was well-liked by her everyone. She and her classmates stayed friends and in close contact throughout the years. Pat, always energetic, was a cheerleader. Pat played on an elite travel softball team that beat the pro Jets softball team.

After high school, Pat attended the Business University of Tampa. She was a long-time valued employee for the Hernando County Sheriff’s Department, sometimes helping with investigations. She also worked as a lead secretary and administrative assistant at Condenser Products.

Pat was a long-time realtor and started her own agency as broker/owner of Advantage Realty of Salt Springs in 1995. She was super active in the real estate profession in helping lobby legislators, advocate for women as realtors, and advance the profession. She participated in the Ocala Marion County Association of Realtors, the Women's Council of Realtors Ocala/Marion County, the local Real Estate Council, and the District Conference meetings. Pat's clients ended up as her friends with homes they enjoyed.

Pat was respected and loved by her community. They viewed her as upright, dependable, caring, and the go-to person when someone had a need. Pat was fun-loving, often the local social director organizing pool tournaments, providing those scrumptious Southern cooked meals, and helping to meet the communities’ needs.

Pat lived life to the fullest. She loved her sweet tea, diet Pepsi, and would tell you she was not a fan of chocolate. She was always a straight shooter that you could depend on.

That was our Pat, Patsy, our Neena.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on February 8 ,2022, at the Salt Springs Christian Church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will follow at the Salt springs Memorial Garden.