Patricia Guest

Patricia “Pat” Guest (Persico) kept her high school civics textbook all her life. “It was my favorite class,” she said, “and my teacher told me I could keep the book.” She loved anything that offered a way to learn. Pat wanted to be a journalist or a teacher herself. She always had a book close to hand, and a keen interest in the world around her. She was most recognizable with a cup of coffee, a cigarette, and a folded-up crossword puzzle. She could answer most Jeopardy questions without a problem and enjoyed that recognition.

Proudly Italian and catholic, she was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 28th, 1931, to Salvatore and Maria Persico, and later moved to Springfield, Massachusetts, where she grew up. After graduation, she moved back to Boston, where she married and brought her first two children, Susan and Mary, into the world. With her second husband, Carl Guest, she moved to Cowpens, South Carolina, where their son, Eddie was born, followed by triplets Teresa, Timothy, and Thomas. It was there that she became a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

Four years ago, Pat and the family were blessed with the addition of her daughter Adrienne. Pat was a loyal friend, and she quickly made new friends with any stranger who was ready to have a conversation. Full of funny comments, intelligence and outspokenness, people loved conversations with her.

There was always room at the inn: any friend or family could stay a few nights, weeks or months at her home, with hospitality and hot coffee available any time of day or night. She was a hard worker, well respected at Butte Knit, and Bode, where she often astounded co-workers for her dedication and her memory for details.

She is survived by her children, Susan Davenport (Ken), Mary Henderson (Eddie), Adrienne Torf (partner Konda), Eddie Guest (Marlene), Teresa Guest-Brettschneider (Reimund), and Tim Guest (fiancé Annette); her grandchildren Brian, Jennifer, Summer, Matt, Joe, Amanda, Matthew, Kandi, Joel, Chris, Daniel, Phillip, Zach, Alex and Jamie; and her great-grandchildren Ethan, Kobyn, Keira, Ethan, Makaila, Payton, Lauren, Luke, Landon, Dylan, Molly, Fletcher, Fisher, Rhett, and Riggs. She is also survived by her nephew, Bill Persico and sister, Teri Astern.

She leaves her family and friends wonderful examples of strength and kindness, and love of life. She was preceded in death by her infant son Thomas, young grandson Chris Hollifield, in-laws Estes and Irene Guest and brother Nat Persico.

Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 pm Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307. A Funeral service will be at 11:00 am Friday, May 20, 2022 at the chapel, conducted by The Rev. Joe Blackwelder. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307. Following the committal, the family will be at the home of her daughter, Susan Davenport at 117 Meadowlake Drive, Cowpens, SC 29330.

Pat’s family would like to thank the Upstate Community Hospice House, Landrum SC, for the exceptional care and love shown to her during her brave battle.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation of SC (www.hpcfoundation.org) or to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org)

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel