Patricia Olmstead

SFC Patricia Lunceford Olmstead, 58, of Northport, was called by our Father in heaven to be at eternal peace on Friday, February 24, 2023. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 1st at Magnolia Chapel North followed by Celebration of Life services at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2023, with Bros. Ted Sessoms and Mike Griffin officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Campground United Methodist Church cemetery with Magnolia Chapel North directing.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eunice & Hugh Jack Lunceford, and grandparents Lura & John Tierce and Lola & Dave Lunceford.

She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Chris Olmstead; sons, Jackson Olmstead and David (Lauren) Olmstead; sister, Teresa (Terry) Oswalt; mother-in-law, Frances Willingham; granddaughters, Skylar & Abigail Olmstead; niece, Laura (Todd) Cook; nephew, Kyle (Hayley) Oswalt; great- nieces, Cardyn & Kendall Cook; and special friends, Gail & Dennis Shelton.

Pallbearers will be Terry Oswalt, Kyle Oswalt, Todd Cook, Rodney Lunceford, Winfield Tierce, Ronald Lunceford, Terry Lunceford, and Reggie Lunceford.

The family would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Kevin Katona and staff, Dr. Pamela Hughes at Manderson Cancer Center, Dr. Rothaar and ICU staff at DCH, Drs. Gaffo, Luckhardt, & Outlaw at UAB & Kirklin Clinic; Carroll’s Creek and Samantha VFD and paramedics.

Pat was born with a fighting spirit April 17, 1964, weighing in at only 2 lbs. & 5 oz. A lifelong member of the Samantha and Northside communities, she attended Northside High School, excelling at and loving softball, volleyball, and basketball. After graduating, she attended the University of Montevallo on a volleyball scholarship. She then transferred back home to Shelton State Community College on a softball scholarship, where she won back-to-back state championships. She then moved on to The University of Alabama and received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, all while working hard at three jobs to support herself through school.

After leaving the University, she began her lifelong career of service to her community and to her nation. She studied at the University of Alabama Police Academy and became an Officer at UAPD, then moved to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. She then joined the U.S. Army Reserves, selflessly serving her beloved country for 26 years. But her greatest love was her family. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, with a kind generous heart and a sly, mischievous sense of humor.

She has been given the nickname “warrior” and “superwoman” by her family and friends because she fought for nine long years with pulmonary fibrosis and an immune disorder. Even after her most recent diagnosis with cancer and heart failure, she remained a radiant light that gave us hope when it seemed that there was none left. She never complained, not even once, and always said “I’ll do what I have to do and move on.”

With her family by her side, she won her last fight. Some say she has lost her battle, but we believe that she has achieved the greatest victory. We are comforted knowing that she is no longer in pain. She no longer has her “ball and chain” as she often referred to her oxygen tank and she can breathe freely at last.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants. Truly I am your servant, Lord; I serve you just as my mother did; You have freed me from my chains. Psalms 116:15-16