Elizabeth "Patty" Thackrey

Elizabeth "Patty" Thackrey, age 99, passed away Monday, February 9, 2015 in Lakeland. Born January 20, 1916 in Akron Ohio, Patty was the daughter of the late John C. and Dencie (Hurd) Goodman. Mrs. Thackrey owned and operated Patty's Nursery in Bartow for many years. She was also a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Bartow, the Order of the Eastern Star, Tropical Chapter #38 in Bartow, the Bartow Garden Club and the Crickette Club. Mrs. Thackrey was the Bartow Food Services Club President from 1967-1987. She was Troop 71 Girl Scout Leader for many years, including Brownie Scouts through Senior High graduation, going on many trips to Washington, D.C, Williamsburg, VA, and Savannah, GA. She also was honored several times for her community service. Among those honors are the 1966 Bartow Lions Club Outstanding Citizen Award, 1988 Milton Spencer Memorial Award for outstanding & unselfish contributions in promoting youth activities in the Bartow community, and 1990-91 Bartow Rotary Club Medal of Honor for community service outside her profession. Patty is preceded in death by her husband Vernon Thackrey, her brother Harry Goodman, her grandson Jeff Vernon Kinard and her granddaughter Karen Leigh Kinard. She is survived by a loving family that includes two daughters: Patricia Shaffer of Lakeland, Vicki Wampole and husband Doug, eight grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren, and seventeen great great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held Friday, February 20, 2015 at 2:00pm at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home in Bartow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First Methodist Children's Home, Bartow Girl Scout Little House, PO Box 584, Bartow, FL 33830, or a charity of choice.