Ruth Bigbee Savage, 94, of Largo, Fla., left to be with her Lord on Sept. 24, 2023, in peace and comfort while in the care of hospice with her family nearby.

Pat was born near Memphis on July 11, 1929, to Lucille Burns Bigbee and Hervey Bowling Bigbee. Her siblings were Dr. Hervey Bowling Bigbee (d), Rosa Lynn Bigbee (d) and Dr. Wallace Burns Bigbee. While young, she lived in Arkansas before moving to Tennessee where they build their family home in Germantown. As a child, she enjoyed riding a bike, playing piano and learning about nature. She loved her family and shared stories about her childhood years. Her father was a steel worker and her mother taught high school English and piano.

Pat grew up in a musical family. She continued to play piano all her life including at church gatherings. Pat attended Memphis State College, now the University of Memphis, earning a B.S. degree in speech and English. While at college, she met and then married Paul Savage (d.) They lived in Treasure Island, Fla., for one year in 1955 before returning to Tennessee, but later moved to Orlando, Fla., where she lived for many years. Pat’s primary and lengthy career was spent teaching English and speech in the Orange County Public Schools system in later years. She then attended Baptist Bible Institute in Graceville, Fla., now the Baptist College of Florida.

In her retirement years living in Pinellas County, Pat enjoyed studying the Bible, participating in church activities, helping friends in her community, supporting her church and other charities, walking around the lake in her neighborhood and playing her piano. She remained strongly capable and independent, using her iPhone daily to communicate with family and friends and search for information and news. She continued her focus on healthy eating and exercise, and retained a keen interest in her faith, staying connected with family and friends and managing her own affairs. She loved a nice sunset. Pat is survived by her brother, Dr. Wallace Bigbee (Patricia) of McMinnville; her sons, David Savage (Judie) of Arlington, Texas and Bill Savage (Helen) of Seminole, Fla. Her grandchildren are Lauren Savage (Rob), Taylor Savage (Devon) and Kelsey Savage, who preceded her in death. She loved her extended family, which includes cousins and nephews as well as close friends. A celebration of Pat’s life was held for family and friends on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.

Southern Standard

(McMinnville, Tenn.) Nov. 19, 2023