The family of Pat Johnson will hold a visitation on Thursday, June 27, from 4-6 p.m. and Friday, June 28, at 10 a.m. at Laurel Church of Christ, 3457 Kingston Pike at Cherokee Blvd. Services will take place on Friday following visitation.
Mrs. Patricia Carole Pinckley Johnson passed away peacefully on June 12, 2024, at age 88. She was married to Dr. Joe Johnson, who culminated a career at the University of Tennessee as the 19th president of the UT System. Pat held two degrees from the university, a bachelor’s and master’s in home economics.
In addition to her service to the university, alongside Dr. Joe, she was a devoted member and Ladies Bible Class leader at Laurel Church of Christ, an advocate for mental health care in the greater Knoxville community, a loving mother to her children, Kent and Kelly, and a loving grandmother to her grandsons, Tucker and Luke Harlin. She had the gift of being a great listener, and also had the gift of mentoring many women in the greater Knoxville community.
At a private gathering many years ago, Dr. Joe held forth on the notion that kids go to college to find a spouse and to watch/play football. He said at the end of the then-11-game season, the 10-1, 9-2 and 8-3 teams paired up for bowl games. He said romantic pairings were similar. And I’ve not been to a wedding since without pondering the couple’s ranking.
One thing is sure. Joe and Pat Johnson found their best spouse and both were rated 11-0. The full obituary is here.