Patricia Louise Karges Mallard

Patricia Louise “Patty” Karges Mallard, wife of Herbert Mallard, passed away on Thursday, January 6, 2022. She was 60 years old.

Patty was born on October 18, 1961 at Plattsburgh Air Force Base in upstate New York. She entered this world with her identical twin, Ann Marie with whom she shared a lifelong bond and friendship and even a secret “twin language” when they were young children. Patty was a devoted mother to her children, a loving wife, a witty and interesting friend, and a generous advocate for animals. Those who knew Patty well will miss her lively way with words, her positive outlook on life, her delight in her gardens and dogs, and her devotion to her family.

Patty was an advocate for education and excelled in learning. She earned both graduate and undergraduate degrees from Charleston Southern University, completing her degrees with honors. She was a voracious reader and skilled crossword puzzle master. Her love of words and ideas made her a lively and interesting companion. She and her sisters Ann and Linda loved nothing more than a long coffee shop chat, where they would solve the problems of mankind over a Frappuccino. Patty enjoyed a long career working in retail and service industries, including several decades helping to manage the family business at Parks Funeral Home, where she used her abundant compassion to assist and support many local families.

Patty’s legacy of family is rich. She leaves behind her loving husband Herbert Mallard; daughters Jackie Parks Leming (Jason) and Sara Parks (Cameron); and son John Clinton (Maggie), as well as step-daughters Courtney Garvey (Chuck) and Jenny Reeves (James); and special niece Rosie Johnson –Wright (Eric).

Patty adored her grandchildren: Carson Michelle Leming, Emma and John Parks Jr., Max Rokas, Maddie Thomas, and Taylor Christmas. As a mother and grandmother, Patty believed in hands on experiences and sharing life together. With her own girls and grand -daughter Carson, Patty was a dedicated “cheer mom”, chaperoning competitions, working on events, and tying hair bows with skill. She spent quality time with her babies at the Lake and at the Edisto River, boating, swimming, and frolicking with dogs. In her later years, Patty devoted herself to taking her grandchildren Emma and John to visit their father, who is deployed as an active duty Marine. In that same vein, Patty was an ardent supporter of the US Military, first as an Air Force “brat” herself and then as a Marine Corps mom.

Patty will be missed by her “tribe”, sisters Dr. Linda Karges-Bone (Gary) and Dr. Ann Marie Watson (David-deceased) and brothers George W. Karges Jr. (Teri) and Michael Karges (Kim) and 10 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by parents S/MSGT George W. Karges Sr. and Mary Ann Karges, who passed just 7 weeks ago. A woman of faith and hope, Patty believed in the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and will be remembered in a Catholic Mass at a later date.

The family will receive friends at Parks Funeral Home in Summerville, SC on Monday evening January 10, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The Catholic Rite of Committal will occur at Summerville Cemetery on Boone Hill Road on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 12 o’clock noon. Flowers will be accepted or gifts in memorial may be made to the SPCA or Dorchester PAWS www.dorchesterpaws.org.

Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 West 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483. www.parksfuneralhome.com.

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