Dr. Patricia Davis-Wiley, fondly known as “Pattie,” passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 23.
A funeral Mass for Dr. Davis-Wiley was held on Feb. 3 at St. John XXIII University Parish and Catholic Center in Knoxville, with Paulist Father Don Andrie serving as celebrant and Paulist Father John Ardis concelebrating.
A private inurnment was at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Dr. Davis-Wiley was born to Eleanore and Richard Petty Davis on Feb. 26, 1949, in Long Beach, Calif. Both her parents had careers in the U.S. Navy, so the family lived in several states, including Minnesota, Illinois, and California.
Dr. Davis-Wiley was educated in parochial schools, graduating with honors from the Academy at San Luis Rey, Calif. Earlier degrees from the University of California, the Université of Montpellier (France), and the University of Houston were the initial steps in her vocation as an educator of educators. Most of her professional life was dedicated to her passion, teaching.
Prior to arriving at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, she taught teacher education classes at the University of Houston, French at Baylor University, and French and Spanish in three high schools in Texas. She taught and was eventually a tenured professor at the University of Tennessee for 40 years. She actively and enthusiastically presented at international, national, regional, and state professional organizations in both World Languages and English as a Second Language.
Dr. Davis-Wiley received numerous awards including three University of Tennessee awards for teaching and service: the UT Alumni Outstanding Teacher Award, the L. R. Hesler Award for Excellence in Teaching and Service to the University of Tennessee, and the Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Faculty Adviser.
Among Dr. Davis-Wiley’s interests were scuba diving, international travel, gourmet cooking, linguistics, world cultures, and music, in particular the organ. She played for church services at Mission San Luis Rey in California and more recently at St. John XXIII.
Dr. Davis-Wiley married Stephen Wiley while in Houston, and from that time Pattie and Steve lived life to its fullest for 42 years. She also held her extended family close, including numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Donations may be made in Dr. Davis-Wiley’s memory to the Paulist Fathers or St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic.
