Patsy Jarrett (far right) gives credit to her family for helping her overcome cancer. Also pictured are (from left) Austin Easter, Faron and Dawn Jarrett Atwood and Patsy's husband, Bill. Not pictured is her son Brett Jarrett.

Patsy Jarrett will speak at Relay; discusses life as a 'survivor'

The year 2002 began uneventful enough for Alleghany native Patsy Jarrett. She had been in the field of banking for 35 years and was happy with her job at First Citizens Bank in Sparta, where she had been working for the last nine-and-a-half years. Little did Jarrett know that the year would be one of the most - if not the most - trying years of her life.

The daughter of the late Raymon and Emma Lee Andrews stated although she enjoyed her work, she began considering taking early retirement in the early part of 2002 at the age of 55. After discussing the matter with husband Bill, a retired teacher, plans were in the works for the mother of grown children Brett and Dawn to retire in December 2002.

Several months later, Jarrett and her family were in for an unexpected change.

Relay for Life begins Friday at Crouse Park

The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life is scheduled to begin at Crouse Park at 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 18 and conclude at 10 a.m., Aug. 19. According to event Chair Michelle DeBord, Andy Wright will serve as deejay at the event from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. and special campfire music will be performed throughout the night by locals Bridgette Williams and Chris Sparks.

Patsy Jarrett will be the keynote speaker at the event.

Those in attendance will have the chance to munch on baked items — from barbecue, hot dogs and hamburgers to funnel cakes and fried snickers — that will be available for purchase for suggested donations. Meanwhile, silent auction baskets, containing a variety of items will be available for auction Friday night, with the winners of the baskets announced following the evening luminary ceremony.

Children at the event will have the opportunity to play on inflatable toys, participate in a late-night roasting of Smores and watch a movie. DeBord noted the movie to be viewed has yet to be decided upon.

Opening ceremonies are slated for 6 p.m. and include a survivor's walk, a children's walk, a teen walk and a caregiver's walk. The traditional luminary ceremony is slated for 9:30 p.m.

New to the Relay this year is a 7 a.m. breakfast that is open to the public. Country ham, biscuits and eggs will be available for purchase.

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