Patricia Burns

Patricia Chandler Burns, of Dalton, Ga., was born July 27, 1937. She passed away on January 1st after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

“Patsy,” or “Pat,” as she was known to friends, was born in Dalton to Issac Vivian Chandler and Ethel Meredith Chandler.  After graduating from Dalton High School, she spent two years at Sweet Briar College in Virginia before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

After graduating from UNC in 1959, she traveled Europe and then moved to New York City, where she worked for Gimbels department store.

Following her NYC adventure, she moved to Atlanta, where she worked for Rich’s and met her husband to be, W. Fred Burns. They were married and moved to Dalton in 1965 where Fred began his career with Patcraft Mills. Patcraft was founded by Pat’s father, I.V. Chandler, and was named after her.

She became a charter member of the Creative Garden Club, was a member of the board that revitalized the Dalton Cotillion, wedding director at First United Methodist Church, served as president of the Jr. Women’s Club, was in several cherished bridge clubs, a CASA volunteer,  member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and volunteered with the United Way’s Little Free Library program.  She also acted in plays with Dalton Little Theater.  She also co-founded The Pine Needle, a gift shop still in business today.

She is survived by her husband, Fred, their three children, Patti Renz (Doug), Meredith Parks (Christopher), and Andy; her brother Bob Chandler (Susan); her grandchildren Chandler Renz Kinnamon (Colton); Mary Turner Renz (fiancé Parris Collins), William Michael Parks, and Andrew Wilson Parks; her great-granddaughter Marley Lynn Kinnamon; her niece Beth Chandler Lopez (Joe) and their children, Bobby, Alex, and Annie; her niece Victoria Chandler Norman and nephew Russ Chandler.

She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Ike Chandler and nephew Matthew Chandler.

Visitation and Service will be held at Dalton First United Methodist Church on Saturday, January 4, 2025.  Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon in the atrium.  The celebration of life will follow at noon in the sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, she requests donations to be made to her church or to any charity of your choice. Church address: Dalton First United Methodist Church, 500 S. Thornton Ave., Dalton, Ga. 30720.