Dr. Patricia "Patty" Gay Harman, of Carrollton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at the age of 80. She was born in Freeman, South Dakota, to the late Ferd Walter and Clara Guenthner Walter.

A devoted professional counselor for over 50 years, Patty began her career as a classroom teacher in Huron, South Dakota. She subsequently taught in Iroquois, South Dakota, and Winthrop, Minnesota before moving to Carrollton, Georgia. Once in Carrollton, she began her career at the University of West Georgia as an instructor in Middle Grade Education. She later went on to teach at Alabama Street School and served as a school counselor for Bowdon Elementary School. Additionally, Patty opened her own private practice, the Family Counseling and Education Clinic, where she dedicated her life to helping others when they were most in need.

Patty was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations during the course of her career including: Teacher of the Year, Carrollton City Schools; Outstanding Service Award, Disabled American Veterans; Salute Award, Vietnam Veterans; and Innovative Teacher of the Year, Phi Delta Kappa. Patty also served on the State Committee for Career Development Materials, the Citizen's Review Panel, Department of Family and Children Services and as Board Member of the Carroll County Rape Crisis Center and the Pathways Center of Georgia.

Patty earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Huron College and her Master of Arts and Doctor of Education degrees from the University of Northern Colorado and completed further graduate courses at West Georgia College and Auburn University.

Faith played a vital role in Patty's life, she truly loved Jesus. She was an active and cherished member of Carrollton First Methodist Church, where she was deeply involved in the Believers Sunday School Class. Her kind spirit and unwavering faith touched the lives of many in her church community.

Patty found joy in the beauty of flowers, but her greatest passion was her family. A loving and faithful wife, adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and she enjoyed the countless hours spent with them. She was always ready with a warm hug and a big smile, she was ready to listen to whatever her family brought to her, and she was always cheering them on the loudest. Patty's legacy of love, compassion, and faith will continue to inspire all who knew her.

She is survived by her loving husband, Ned Harman; daughters and sons-in-law, Rachel and Clint Robinson, Dawn and Tad Bennett; sons and daughter-in-law, Shane and Kim Harman, Josh Harman; grandchildren, Barr and Gretchen Wilborn, Dustin Wilborn, Christena and Curtis Hambright, Stratton and Ashlyn Bennett, William Robinson, Gavin Harman, Haley Harman, Devon Harman; and great-grandchildren, Addison Smith, Curt Hambright, Blakely Wilborn, Max Wilborn, Sterling Wilborn, and Knox Wilborn. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughters, Rebecca Phillips and Holly Harman; son, Luke Harman; grandson, Sammy Robinson; brothers, Harry Smidt, Jim Smidt, and Gary Walter; and sister, Betty Morgan.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 4, 2024, at Almon Funeral Home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

A funeral service to celebrate Patty's life will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Carrollton First Methodist Church.

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In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Operation Beautiful Feet, PO BOX 736, Carrollton, GA 30112, Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, The Sammy Robinson Foundation, 6209 Foxcroft Rd, Alexandria, VA. 22307 or online at https://sprfoundation.com/donate, THS Emergency Shelter, PO Box 1604, Carrollton, GA 30112.

Messages of condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.almonfuneralhome.com.

Almon Funeral Home of Carrollton has charge of arrangements.