Pat Fordice has died.

By Latasha Willis Thursday, July 12, 2007 9:01 a.m. CDT

Former Mississippi First Lady Pat Fordice has died. A family spokesperson said she died at her home in Madison Thursday morning.

ID: 113447
Comment: Here's a C-L article: She "died peacefully in her sleep at 1:30 a.m." today," said Ross Aldridge, a former aide to then-Gov. Kirk Fordice. Fordice announced in December that she had cancer but never disclosed what kind. In addition to her role as first lady, she is remembered as an avid volunteer and radio host... Just before Jackson Mayor Frank Melton took office in July 2005, he chose Fordice to head the city’s Human and Cultural Services Department. Her job was to oversee youth and senior services and art and cultural programs... But her time with the city was short. She left in October 2005, a month after a bad fall put her on medical leave. Funeral arrangements are pending. No other details are immediately available. The family is asking that their privacy be respected.
Author: LatashaWillis
Date: 2007-07-12T08:14:40-06:00

ID: 113449
Comment: I know. She said, "I'm not your mama", but to me, she was everybody's mama. :-)
Author: LatashaWillis
Date: 2007-07-12T08:33:01-06:00

ID: 113450
Comment: Pat Fordice was always graceful and behaved like a lady. She held her head high during difficult times. She epitomized the role of First Lady. She was smart. She was firm when she had to be and always charming. She will be remembered as Mississippi's best First Lady.
Author: katbird
Date: 2007-07-12T08:43:42-06:00

ID: 113451
Comment: Thanks for the tread L.W. Again, I am saddened at the news of Pat's death. She was a nice lady and from my hometown. We were rom different political parties; however, she could see things from both sides of the fence. She will truly be missed!
Author: justjess
Date: 2007-07-12T08:49:59-06:00

ID: 113452
Comment: This is a terrible week. First Zelma Finch, then Lady Bird Johnson, now Pat Fordice: all within around 48 hours. What a loss. Pat Fordice represented everything I pray my daughters will have: grace, dignity, charm and a close, loving family. Godspeed, Mrs. Fordice.
Author: Lady Havoc
Date: 2007-07-12T08:57:39-06:00

ID: 113453
Comment: Ditto. Pat Fordice was a great lady. She was so charming and polite. Mrs. Fordice was the one bright spot of an otherwise dim and horrible administration. She was strong and nobody's push-over, and that's what I loved and appreciated about her. Strength bundled with graciousness, that's how I'll remember her. I hope her children realize how much the citizens of Mississippi loved Pat Fordice. There's a new angel in the hosts!
Author: lanier77
Date: 2007-07-12T11:30:24-06:00

ID: 113454
Comment: I had occasion to meet this lady and she was fantastic and had quite a head on her shoulders. She was bossing Kirk around and was certainly not one to lay in the shadows. She'll be missed by most all who knew her I'm sure.
Author: GLewis
Date: 2007-07-12T11:56:00-06:00

ID: 113457
Comment: The definitive Southern Belle, for sure. "I'm not your momma!" R.I.P.
Author: Jo-D
Date: 2007-07-12T12:44:42-06:00

ID: 113458
Comment: Pat Fordice gets an A+ Front of the line. And yes the epitome of the Southern Matron and yes.... L.W. everyone's Momma..... Rest in Perfect peace....
Author: ATLExile
Date: 2007-07-12T13:56:25-06:00

ID: 113459
Comment: Just a model Mississippian in every sense. Smart, graceful, tough enough to kick out her philandering husband late in life, kind enough to care for him as he died. Usually, I can't muster any emotion over the death of public figures, but I am genuinely sad today.
Author: laughter
Date: 2007-07-12T15:48:21-06:00

ID: 113460
Comment: question. Why did Frank appoint her that poistion in the first place? She was already past the age of sensible coordination. that position was meant for one of our young, best and brightest. RIP Lady Fo'
Author: laughter
Date: 2007-08-20T15:19:46-06:00

ID: 113461
Comment: Probably a nod to all his supporters in North Jackson. I don't think it mattered much, though.
Author: DonnaLadd
Date: 2007-08-20T15:24:54-06:00

ID: 113462
Comment: Laughter, frank had so many past , present and future "throwbacks" and "Irregulars" in his administration that he was trying to ligitimize it. Remember, he reached out to Barbour and his wife. As a matter of fact, what happened to the role that was to be played by Barbour's wife? Also, Mrs. Melton, according to frank, was going to do a whole lot with the young people of Jackson's educational system. It hasn't happened. Most people all over Jackson had a lot of respect for Pat Fordice. People who absolutely dispised her spouse, loved Pat. She could hold her own.
Author: justjess
Date: 2007-08-20T16:07:03-06:00

ID: 113463
Comment: Most people all over Jackson had a lot of respect for Pat Fordice. People who absolutely dispised her spouse, loved Pat. She could hold her own. That's interesting how that happens, isn't it? For instance, I wouldn't mind if Bush left office early, but Laura seems like a sweet lady, unless there's something I don't know.
Author: LatashaWillis
Date: 2007-08-20T16:23:40-06:00

Jackson Free Press