I loved "Granny Pat" Shelton.

I had the pleasure of working with Pat Shelton, also known as The Queen, for over 20 years.
Together we successfully treated over 3000 children.
How does one summarize in just a few words over 20 years of interaction?
You simply can't.
She could be a crusty lady who would always tell you what was on her mind. But under that very thin layer of crust was a very sweet and caring Christian Lady. Granny Pat and I loved to argue with one another. The topic usually ended up being on social issues or politics, and Pat needed to have the last word.

You see, Granny Pat was a Democrat through and through. She once told me that her father was a Democrat, her mother was a Democrat, and all of her family were Democrats and that she was going to die a Democrat.
Well, I'm a Republican.

I remember when George W. Bush was finally confirmed as our new president, and I couldn't wait to aggravate her a little bit. I asked Pat what she thought about Bush's election. Pat said "Yeah, Bush won, but he had to cheat to do it. He got his brother to count the votes!"

After I was finished with the last case of the day, and thinking that I might yet get the last word in on her, I then said "Well I guess that there are going to be a lot more Republicans in Washington, D.C. now!"

Always needing to have the last word, Granny Pat then responded "Maybe so, but there are going to be a lot more Democrats than Republicans in Heaven!"

Granny Pat was also always in control.

I suppose that was because she needed to learn how to handle us doctors at an early point in her career. Bernard told me that 18 hours before Pat passed away, when arrangements were being made to move her to the hospice within Vanderbilt University Hospital, that at one time there were approximately 15 residents, nurses, and the attending physicians all present in her room. They were discussing the drug regimen that they were planning to use to keep her sedated, manage her pain, and keep her as comfortable as possible. Bernard said that the doctors were talking about "so many cc's of this, so many milligrams of that, etc., etc." Although her eyes were shut, The Queen was apparently paying close attention to the discussion. Suddenly she opened her eyes and said "Now wait just a minute, here. I might have something to say about that!"

Most importantly, Granny Pat was a persistent Christian.

In addition to Pat and Bernard's work with the Community Dinners at Christmas and Easter, God's Food Pantry, the Red Cross, the Gideon's ministry, various youth ministries, and many other Christian endeavors, they also found time to organize and teach at the Lay Speaker Academy of the Corbin District of the Methodist Church.

About 10 years ago Pat tried to get me to attend the Corbin District Lay Speaker's Academy of the Methodist Church. I always came up with an excuse of some sort, but Pat and Bernard kept working on me. Their tactics changed and Pat asked me if I had any plans with my family on a certain winter weekend. I told her no, we did not, other than to attend church on Sunday. She seized the opportunity to trap me into attending that weekend's Lay Speaker Academy! She handed me my reservation on the spot and said that God was calling me to attend! I had been trapped and had to go. After all it was God who was calling.

That weekend was a life-changing event for me. Already committed to my Christian walk many years before, that weekend put me on a Christian Run.

Granny Pat, I have you and Bernard to thank for the rebirth in my Christian Faith. From that Lay Speaker Academy until the last day I saw Granny Pat alive we always greeted each other with a big smile and by saying "God is good!" And the other would reply with "All the time!"

Granny Pat loved her work. She loved her family. She loved her church. But most of all, she loved the Lord.

Granny Pat, you are now in Heaven. You are now at peace, without pain, and with other family members and friends who have predeceased you. Maybe even some Democrats!

There is no need for you to be in control because God is in control.

I love you, Granny Pat and I already miss you. We all miss you and we all love you. Yes, Granny Pat, "God is good! All the time!"

Dr. Bill Caudill