Patricia Sams Singleton

Born: 4/19/1941 Died: 7/28/2012 Patricia Sams Singleton, age 71, of Newark, DE, passed away on Saturday, July 28, 2012, at her home. Born in Louisville, KY on April 19, 1941, Patricia was the daughter of the late David Eugene Sams and Dorothy Slater Sams. She received her early education in Louisville and Jeffersonville, IN. In 1952, her family moved to Florida, where she graduated from Stranahan High School, located in Ft. Lauderdale, in 1959. Patricia went on to further her education, receiving her Bachelor’s of Science in both Christian Education and Biology from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, in 1963, and her Master’s of Divinity from Lancaster Theological Seminary, in 1986. She was ordained as a Minister of Sacrament and Word by the Presbyterian Church of the United States in 1987, and went on to serve at several local congregations. Patricia began her ministry at the First Presbyterian Church of Newark, where she oversaw the church’s Christian Education and Youth Ministry from 1978 until 1987. She then moved to Concord Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, where she was Interim Associate Pastor until 1989. Patricia was Pastor for more than a decade at Pencader Presbyterian Church in Bear, leaving in 1996 to join her husband in a sabbatical year in Cleveland, OH. While in Ohio, she worked as a Resident Chaplain in the Pastoral Care Department at the Cleveland Clinic. Upon returning to Delaware, Patricia served as Interim Pastor at both Red Clay Creek and Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Churches. In 2000, she was appointed Staff Chaplain at Christiana Hospital, which she referred to as the “job of her dreams” and held that position until her retirement. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Rivers Singleton, Jr. ; 3 children, David R. Singleton, Melissa S. Josef, and Eric C. Singleton; 4 grandchildren, Robin G. and Meredith P. Singleton, and Luke R. and Elena C. Josef; 1 step granddaughter, Madeline M. Josef; and 1 brother, David E. Sams, Jr. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Friday, August 3, 2012, at the First Presbyterian Church of Newark, 292 W. Main Street, Newark, DE. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Newark, 292 West Main St., Newark, DE 19711 or to the Elizabeth Huth Coates Library c/o Trinity University, 1 Trinity Place, San Antonio, TX 78212.