Patricia R. Rary

Patricia Olivia Rohr Rary, In the early hours of Feb. 19, 2015, Patricia R. Rary better known as "Mom Pat" went to be with the other angels in heaven. Pat was preceded in death by her beloved husband Lewis Elwood Rary, her parents Annah and Thomas Rohr and her brother Thomas C. Rohr. Pat was born and raised in Alexandria where she graduated from George Washington High School and completed two years of college before entering the work force. She worked for the Federal Government for a number of years in Washington DC before becoming a legal secretary and bookkeeper for a law firm in Alexandria. At the age of 12 she joined a Masonic Order for girls known then as Job's Daughters and currently known as Job’s Daughters International (JDI). This began a dedication in 1950 of continuous service of loving and giving which has lasted 65 years. Pat began as a daughter, holding several positions and finally being elected into a leadership role. She served as Honored Queen of Bethel 4, Alexandria from June – December 1956 where she initiated 19 girls into Bethel 4 at her first meeting. As an adult Pat has continued her service to the Order. She began on the Bethel Guardian Council of Bethel 4 where she served as Guardian Secretary and Bethel Guardian. During that time she worked with many of the Northern Virginia Bethels serving as the Deputy Grand Guardian. In 1966 Pat was elected as the Grand Guardian of Virginia, serving with R. Vance Watkins of Bethel 46. While living in Alexandria Pat met the love of her life, Lewis E. Rary. They were married in 1974 and moved to Portsmouth. Pat and Lewis both worked with Job’s Daughters on many Bethel Guardian Councils in the Hampton Roads area including, Bethel 48 Portsmouth where Pat served as Bethel Guardian. Over the past 28 years Pat has been the Grand Secretary of Virginia, again serving the entire Commonwealth. Pat joined Fellowship Chapter # 140 Order of the Eastern Star where she had served as Worthy Matron two separate times and for the last 25 years as the Secretary. For the last three years Pat has been the Assistant Lecture District #48. Pat is well known throughout the Tidewater area as someone who is ready, willing and able to assist any Order of the Eastern Star Chapter when needed. She was also a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization International (P. E. O.) for the past 52 years. Pat is survived by a daughter Cynthia R. Black of Portsmouth and two granddaughters, Christina R. Black of Richmond, California and Carey B Ward of Portsmouth as well as 2 great grandchildren, a sister in law Brandon Rohr of Irvington, Virginia, a niece Courtney of Fairfax County, a nephew Brian of South Carolina as well as several great nieces and nephews and other relatives. A funeral service will be held in Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. by Rev. Dr. Jean Bozeman and Rev. Dr. E. Clifton Whitlock. An Eastern Star service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home with visitation to follow until 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Guardian Counsel of VA; Lewis Rary Scholarship Fund c/o Mrs. Valorie Koogle 8000 Cardiff Street Mason Neck, VA 22079-3511.

Patricia R. Rary

February 19, 2015