Mrs. Pattie Boone Judge

ROCKY MOUNT – Pattie Boone Judge passed away peacefully on February 27th, 2026.

Pat was born in Nash County, NC on May 10th, 1931 she was the daughter of the late Teddy Moses Boone and Beulah “Nana” Johnson.  She was preceded in death by her husband Floyd Howard Judge; her brothers Joseph Elwood “Woody” Boone, Howard Vann Boone and sisters, Peggy Whittingham and Barbara Early and special “English sister” Joan Folkerd.

After the family sold the family farm and moved to the city, Pat grew up on Jordan Street in Rocky Mount where her family owned and operated Arlington Street Grocery, serving the community for years.  That is where she met her future husband, Floyd Judge and they were married in 1951 and were together for 34 years until his death in December 1985.

Pat graduated from Rocky Mount High School and later attended a fashion design school in New York City before settling back in Rocky Mount.  Following her passion for clothes, Pat was the Manager of Teachey-Womble on Nash Street in Rocky Mount for years before eventually starting her own retail business.  Pat was the owner and proprietor of Pati J’s By The Lake, a beloved boutique women’s clothing store across from the City Lake that served the community for almost 25 years.   After closing the shop, she and her life and business partner Betty Bunn continued to sell Doncaster clothes to the community.

Pat blazed a trail everywhere she went and was a pioneer and inspiration to generations of women.  She was a woman of pure grace, immense style and kindness; Pat never met a stranger.  She was positive, always smiling and on the go, living her life to its fullest; her favorite saying was “Don’t sweat the small stuff!”  Pat was one of those people you cross paths with on a daily basis that made your day brighter and better.  No matter what you were going through, she would listen, cared and always make you feel better about life.  She impacted lives all over the world and was someone you would never forget if you met her.  She was a legend in her own time and beloved by all who knew her and absolutely adored by her entire family.  Pat was passionate about her family, her cats and all animals, her flowers and plants, her faith, her community and a long-time member of the Rocky Mount Garden Club.

She was humbled and honored with the Distinguished Citizens Award by Mayor Sandy Roberson on her 93rd Birthday in 2024.

Pat is survived by her daughter Cheryl Judge Decker (John) of Columbus, NC; son Stephen Howard Judge of Rocky Mount, NC, her grandchildren Erinn Higgins Levis (Michael) of Clifton Springs, NY, William Maxwell Higgins of Saratoga Springs, NY and great-grandchildren Brayden Michael Levis and Emma Pattie Levis and was adored by generations of nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Pat will be held on Friday, March 6th, 2026, at 12:00 Noon at First Presbyterian Church of Rocky Mount, 153 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Rev. Jacob Kennedy officiating.  A private family committal service will be held at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday, March 5th, 2026 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Pat’s memory to First Presbyterian Church of Rocky Mount, 153 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.