Patricia Eve Polzin Stilley

Patricia Eve Polzin Stilley of Arapahoe, the first baby born in New Bern, North Carolina, on January 1, 1953, passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, May 4, 2022.

Miss Pat, as she was lovingly known, abhorred tree frogs but loved flamingos, gnomes, and most importantly, children. She was a mother to so many- her two biological children, their friends, both childhood and adulthood, as well as all the children whose lives she touched during her many years in childcare. Forest Witcraft’s quote hung on her wall and sums up her life best, “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different, because I was important in the life of a child.”

She attended Bethany Christian Church and was active in the CWF since moving to Arapahoe with her husband Gene in the early 80’s.

Patricia was preceded in death by her mother, Ellen Smith Polzin; father, George Paul Polzin; brother, Alan Polzin; the love of her life her husband, Gene Thomas Stilley; son, Jeremy Gene Stilley; father-in-law, Graham Stilley; and brother-in-law, Mike Manning.

She is survived by her daughter, Emily Harper and husband Eric of Arapahoe; daughter-in-law, Marie Stilley (Jeremy, deceased) of Arapahoe; sister, Suellen Manning (Mike, deceased) of Grantsboro; mother-in-law, Lovie Thomas Stilley of New Bern; grandchildren, Casey Stilley, Miko Stilley, Diana Harper, Jillian Stilley, and Davis Harper all of Arapahoe, and many loving brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held May 14, 2022, at Bethany Christian Church, Arapahoe, NC, with Rev. Merritt Watson officiating. The family will receive friends starting at 1:00pm, prior to the 3:00pm service.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Arapahoe Charter School Library, 9005 NC 306 Hwy S, Arapahoe, NC 28510.