Patricia Gregg Stengel (of Wilmington, NC, and Nashville, TN) passed away peacefully at Davis HealthCare Cambridge Village, in Wilmington, NC. A North Carolina native, she was born June 20, 1935 to George Edward Gregg and Ruby Badgett Gregg of Greensboro, NC. She was preceded in death by her husband of 27 years Kermit Christian Stengel, Jr.
She is survived by her daughter Karen Ayers Pennington of Wilmington, NC, by daughter-in-law Diana C. Ayers of Ocala, FL; by three stepsons Marc Kermit Stengel (Terry) of Nashville, Christian Sudekum Stengel (Charlotte Mutarigirwa) of Powder Springs, GA, and Eric Lafond Stengel (Christine) of Nashville; by eight grand-daughters Anna Patricia Pennington, Mary Elizabeth Stengel Bentley (Clay), Morgan Elen Stengel, Sara Sudekum Stengel, Zoelie Ineza Stengel, Kaia Muhiza Stengel, August Knauer Stengel and Marie Sudekum Stengel; and by two great-granddaughters Lily Elizabeth and Cameron Taylor Bentley. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Nettie Elizabeth “Betsy” Stengel Joy (Maurice), by sister-in-law Nan Ayers McDonnell (Pat) and by special nephews Adrian, Kevin and Patrick (Anne) McDonnell. She was preceded in death by her son Frederick C. Ayers, Jr., and first husband Frederick C. Ayers, Sr.
Pat was born June 20, 1935, and attended Greensboro High School excelling socially and academically. She worked with the Whirligig yearbook staff, was selected as May Queen, and achieved the superlative “Most Dependable” which proved appropriate throughout her life. She pursued interests in music and early childhood education at Duke University, graduating in 1957. While at Duke, she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.
For years, Pat taught piano, touching the lives of many children. She was an accomplished stitcher, both needle point and petit point, and an avid crafter working with decoupage, metals, buttons, beads and antique linens.
Her lifelong passion for the game of tennis, which she passed along to her children, brought a special dimension and a wealth of wonderful people into her world. This includes a couple of standing doubles games in Nashville that involved the same group of friends for the better part of 40 years. She played in many USTA tournaments around the southern U.S. earning regional, state and local rankings.
Pat enjoyed travel; yet, she relished most quiet times at home with her family in Nashville. She lived a full life, shared much and will be greatly missed.
There will be a private graveside service for family members. The family wishes to thank the staff at Cambridge Village, Davis@Cambridge, Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center, and Lower Cape Fear LifeCare for their guidance and support. Memorial Gifts May be made to Alive Hospice, Nashville, to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Wilmington or to another charity of one’s choice.
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