Patricia Palmer Haddock Woller was born on July 14, 1939 in Florence, Alabama to Letabel (“Memi”) and Earl (“Poppy”) Haddock and died on March 3, 2024 in Decatur, AL. Pat and her sister Martha spent their childhoods playing on the banks of the Tennessee River.
Pat met John Woller of Chicago, IL, a young marine officer stationed at Millington Naval Air Station in Memphis, TN, on a blind date set up by her friend Faye. Pat and John began a correspondence and soon began imagining a future together in North Alabama. Pat’s parents welcomed John into their family, and he hitchhiked to Florence every weekend to visit Pat. John and Pat married in July 1957 after John completed his military service. The couple moved to Auburn, AL where John enrolled at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (later to become Auburn University), Pat took classes in education and child development, and they welcomed the first of their four children. The family moved to Decatur in 1960 at the completion of John’s mechanical engineering studies.
For over thirty years, Pat ran “play school” for community children out of Pat and John’s home. What started as an idea Pat had with Jane Patterson became a lifelong partnership and passion project with her neighbor and best friend, Joyce Nabors. Together, Pat and Joyce provided a safe, affordable, and lively enrichment experience for generations of Decatur preschoolers. Play school alumni fondly recall adventures in the backyard on College Street, the raccoon puppet, Skunk and Rabbit books, Kool-Aid and butter cookies, and shaving cream day.
Pat presided over the Board of Education of Decatur City Schools during a contentious period, when under federal consent decree, Decatur schools began the process of desegregating. Pat’s top priority was the well-being of every child in the system. She tuned out the voices and opinions of those in the community who would stop progress and equity, and focused on ensuring the best possible outcome for each individual child. She served as president of the school board from 1976-1992. Pat was eventually elected president of the Alabama Association of School Boards. In that role, she advocated for resources, funding, and legislation in Montgomery on behalf of students across the state, and spoke at a National School Board meeting in San Francisco.
Pat was first elected to the Decatur City Council in 1996 to represent district 3. When other women in her social circles commented to her, “I can’t believe John would allow you to run for council!” Pat replied, “Allow me? He told me to!” Her campaign was a family affair: organized by her beloved husband John, Pat was joined by her children and grandchildren as she knocked on the door of every registered voter in the district. During her years of service, John proudly attended every city council meeting. Pat often reminded her family and friends that women belong in the House… and the Senate.
Pat held the distinction of being the first woman to serve as President of Decatur City Council, a role she took on during her second term on the council. She was unafraid of taking unpopular positions during her years of civic service. To Pat, the community came first. She was motivated by a desire to serve the people of this city, not a political agenda or personal ambition. Pat
advocated for Decatur’s penny tax, an initiative that resulted in significant new projects for the people of Decatur.
During a time when city leaders believed the best and only way to improve life in Decatur was to cater to corporate and industry interests, as City Council President, Pat denied the construction of yet another factory on a highly-desired parcel on the river. Because of Pat’s determination, that parcel became Rhodes Ferry Park, a Trail of Tears National Historic Site operated by the National Park Service. The park is beloved by local families and hundreds of visitors each year for its panoramic views of the Tennessee River and its historical significance. In the final three years of Pat’s life, she lived at Riverside Senior Community, reunited with the banks of her Tennessee River, mere yards from Rhodes Ferry Park, her proudest achievement after her family.
Pat was honored as Citizen of the Year by the Decatur Civitan Club in 2006. She served on the boards of the Decatur Morgan Hospital, Calhoun Community College Foundation, Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Decatur Cotillion Club, and the Princess Theatre. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church where she and John were senior high youth counselors and pillars in the Lovett Sunday School class.
Pat’s family was her everything. To have Pat as a mother and grandmother (“Pitty Pat”) is among the greatest blessings life could bestow. Her creativity, sass, strength, and ferocious dedication inspired all who were privileged to know and be loved by her. Pat loved life and loved people. She was grateful every day for the opportunities she had to learn and expand her understanding of people and the world through traveling, and the opportunities she had to make a difference in the lives of those in her own community.
Pat is preceded in death by her parents, grandson David Woller, and her beloved husband of 62 years, John. She is survived by her four children John Jr. (Suzanne), Ronald (Melinda), Will (Kay), and Janet; by ten grandchildren, Joey (Lauren), John III (Valerie), Caroline, Leta (Andrew), Sarah Catherine (Eric), Patricia (Kyle), William (Kileigh), Llewellyn, Margaret, and Leah; and by six great-granddaughters.
The visitation will be on Thursday, March 7 from 11AM-12PM at Central United Methodist Church (616 Jackson St SE, Decatur, AL) followed by a celebration of life service at 12PM with Rev. Mitchell Williams and Rev. Wayne Hicks officiating.
The family requests that they would prefer memorials be made in lieu of flowers.
Central United Methodist Church Decatur, Alabama
Salvation Army Decatur, Alabama
