Patricia LaVerne Gholson Dies At 68

Patricia LaVerne Gholson

Patricia LaVerne Gholson, known fondly by friends and family as “Tish,” of Bridgehampton died at the Peconic Bay Medical Center Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Riverhead on Monday, May 2. She was 68.

Born June 28, 1942 to Berkley A. Gholson and Ida Beatrice-Street Gholson in Dewitt, Virginia, Ms. Gholson was delivered by her grandmother Ellen Mack-Street, the local midwife. Upon graduating from Bridgehampton High School, she attended Brown Business School in New York City, where she earned an associate’s degree in business finance. After completing her studies at Brown, she returned home and was employed as assistant registrar at Southampton College. During her 37 years with the college, Ms. Gholson continued her education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1974, and a master’s degree in education and New York State teaching certificate in 1976.

Ms. Gholson began playing the piano at an early age, auditioning and securing a spot on the Arthur Mack Amateur Hour, a New York City talent show. Her love of music also included playing the organ. At the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton, she played and directed the senior choir and later, the Sunbeam and Youth Choir (during the tenure of the Reverend Charles Cooper, the Reverend Russell K. Williams and the Reverend Hanry Falson Jr.) During the tenure of the Reverend George Martin, she played for Friendship Baptist Church in Riverhead. Before her illness, she played piano and organ at the Unity Baptist Church in Mattituck, led by the Reverend Marvin Dozier. She was also a member of Southampton Aurora Chapter No. 66 Order of the Eastern Star for many years and served as secretary. During that period, she chaired the committee that developed the chapter’s bylaws.

She is survived by her siblings, Elaine Gholson-Parks, Terry and his wife Valerie of Nevada, Ronnie and his wife Debbie of Center Moriches, Maurice of Georgia, Eddie of Nevada and James of Bridgehampton; aunts, Queenie Street-Archie of Southampton and Thelma Hobbs-Gholson of Virginia; a sister-in-law, Elaine and her husband Mickey Gholson of Bridgehampton; and a host of loving relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her brother Berten Gholson Sr.; and her nephew Kenneth L. Gholson.

Visitation was held on Friday, May 6, at the O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton. Visitation continued on Saturday, May 7, at the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton. A prayer service was held at the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton. Interment followed at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton.