Patricia "Pat" Byrum Kirtz, 65, of Henrico, Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2021 after a long illness. She is the daughter of the late Lewis Pharoah Byrum and Beatrice Dail Wells Byrum. She was predeceased by her niece, Tammy Barber.

Pat is survived by her husband of 36 years, Paul Byron Kirtz; her sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Alan Harrell of Aulander, NC; her brother, Samuel Wells of Cape Coral, FL; her brother-in-law and sisterin-law, John and Donna Kirtz of Highland Village, TX, and her stepmother-in-law Beverly Kirtz of Conway, SC. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Stephanie Wagaman (Greg) of Greenville, NC; Scott Gay of Rocky Mount, NC; and Brandon Wells of Cape Coral, FL; two step-nieces: Regina and Kelly; 14 great nieces and nephews; and 4 great, great nieces and nephews. Pat was especially close to her aunt, Eloise Early, of Harrisonburg, VA.

Pat grew up in Suffolk and graduated from Nansemond Suffolk Academy. She attended Chowan College and graduated from Longwood University. She moved to Richmond and started her career with Maryland National Industrial Finance. After working for the County of Henrico for several years, she began a 25 year career in the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, retiring in 2016.

She continued to maintain her close friendships in Suffolk and remained a member of Liberty Spring Christian Church. In 1985, she made the mistake of marrying a Penn State graduate and quickly became immersed as a fan in the culture of Happy Valley. She attended countless Penn State football games with Paul and traveled the country to watch their Nittany Lions play in 17 bowl games, including two national championship games. She also dutifully attended many rock concerts with Paul over their years together, whether she liked the bands or not. Pat enjoyed travelling, going to the movies (especially if Alvin and the Chipmunks were the stars) and munching fresh theater popcorn, trying out new restaurants, and spending time with special friends at the Midnight Brewery in Goochland, VA.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 10, 2021 at 11 am, at Liberty Spring Christian Church Cemetery with Rev. Res Spears and Dr. Richard Early officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pat's honor to Liberty Spring Christian Church Cemetery Fund, 4213 Whaleyville Blvd, Suffolk, VA 23234 (www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org ) or to a charity of your choice. The family would like to thank the nurses and caregivers at Bon Secours Community Hospice House in Chesterfield, VA. Condolences may be registered at www.parrfuneralhome.com.