- Date Of Birth: December 4, 1945
- Date Of Death: September 17, 2021
- State: Florida
On September 17, 2021, at 8:18pm, Ms. Patricia Ann Frisby (Robertson) (maiden Hardin) who was better known as Big Granny to her family or Patsy to her friends, at age 75, drew her last breath with her head laid on her pillow, in her room, in her home, with a smile on her face just like she wanted after a valiant battle with lung cancer.
Big Granny was the 7th child born on December 4th, 1945, to Rufus F. Hardin & Katie L. Hardin (Oliver) in Winter Haven, Florida. Shortly, thereafter the family moved to Ashburn, Georgia where Patsy grew up surrounded by a huge family and made lifelong friends. She went to school in Ashburn her whole childhood and graduated Turner County High School in 1965 with 4 years of Future Homemakers of America.
In September 1966, Patsy met James F. Robertson (better known as JR to everyone but Patsy called him Jimmy) while working as a waitress in a little restaurant in the heart of Ashburn. Their first date was on Labor Day, September 5, 1966.
On October 9, 1966 (a little over a month), Patsy married Jimmy in Ashburn, Georgia. Patsy and Jimmy then began a very adventurous life together and soon had 4 daughters: Patricia Ann, Mary Jane, Wanda Kate, and Katherine Louise. Over the course of their life together, they lived in several different states (Georgia, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Indiana, Colorado, and Wyoming) while he worked various jobs. Patsy was primarily a homemaker to her daughters during that time but still did various jobs along the way such as babysitting other people’s children, caring for the elderly, waitressing and running a motel.
In late 1995 and early 1996, Patsy began dating Raymond L. Frisby (better known as Ray) while she was managing the Ideal Motel in Rawlins, Wyoming after Jimmy had passed away. Patsy would fondly tell people how Ray was working for Anderson Columbia as a Construction supervisor in town at the time and multiple women were pursuing him because he was such a handsome man and very influential, but he pursued her over all them. They were friends first, but they quickly fell in love. On April 6, 1996, in Rawlins, Wyoming, Patsy married Ray, the second love of her life. She then became a Stepmother to his grown children: Michael (Mikey) and Elizabeth.
Patsy soon retired from the motel after they married and began traveling with Ray wherever this construction jobs took them all over Wyoming. Patsy loved to talk about how much she enjoyed those various towns they lived in that she had never been to before. Ray spoiled Patsy is how she best described him. As time went by Ray was injured while trying to help another person and he became disabled. Ray and Patsy then settled and lived in Casper, Wyoming where Patsy once again started taking care of elderly people while also helping her disabled husband. On May 3, 2013, Patsy became a widow again when her beloved Ray passed away due to extended illness in Casper, Wyoming. God blessed them with 17 years together on this Earth. Ray was cremated but a part of him will remain with Patsy.
Big Granny was a beautiful, kind, generous, sweet, loving, nurturing, beloved, Christian women, and so much more that words cannot due her justice. Simply put, if you knew her you loved her and she loved you. The kind of love that surpasses any understanding. Her children were her crown jewels, her grandchildren were her beloved and priceless treasures, and her great grandchildren were God’s gift back to her for a job well done. Her daughters, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will remember her with so much love it will bring tears to your eyes.
Big Granny Patsy is survived by her daughters: Patricia Ann Sistrunk (Hank) of Lake City, Florida; Mary Jane Sanchez of Grand Junction, Colorado; Wanda Kate Collins (Timmy) of Lake City, Florida; and Katherine Louise Hoehl-Cirillo (John) of Morris Town, New Jersey. Stepchildren: Michael (Mikey) Frisby and Elizabeth Frisby both of Casper, Wyoming. Grandchildren: Melissa Capps, Brandy Sistrunk, James Robertson, Jonathan Sanchez, Cody Collins, Keely Hoehl, Jessica Hoehl, Bailey Hoehl, and Jason Cirillo. Great Grandchildren: Hayleigh Capps, TyTy Capps, and Annie Grace Capps.
Big Granny Patsy was predeceased by her parents Rufus F. Hardin & Katie L. Hardin and her two husbands James F. Robertson and Raymond L. Frisby.
