Patricia "Pat" Narron and James Earl Narron Sr. shared a lifetime of love and family, navigating life's joys and profound challenges together. Their partnership formed the cornerstone of a family that extended through sons and grandchildren, rooted deeply in North Carolina before James's career took them to Virginia.

Pat's Early Life

Patricia "Pat" Narron was born on June 3, 1942, in Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina. She was the older of two children born to Norman and Neta Lee Hill Narron.

Pat's early life was marked by significant loss. Her father, Norman, passed away on May 17, 1956, in a Wilson hospital, when Pat was just 13 years old. He was laid to rest in the Narron Family Cemetery in Middlesex, Nash, North Carolina.

Pat grew up attending the Oak Grove Presbyterian Church. Jim attended church there, too. It seems they always knew each other even through they attended different high schools.

Pat and James married on November 28, 1959, at Oak Grove Presbyerian Church in Johnston County, North Carolina, beginning a union that would span nearly six decades. Pat wore a tea length white wedding gown with rows of ruffled tulle. She found it at Lucille's Dress Shop in Wilson. Pat wore a fingertip length veil. She carried a white Bible topped with white carnations, lily of the valley with an orchard in the center.

Her maid of honor was her cousin, Frances Narron. She wore a lace aqua tea length gown and carried yellow chrysanthemums and yellow roses. Jim's best man was his baseball coach.

Jim borrowed his dad's 1958 Ford for their short honeymoon.

Tragic accident

Tragedy struck her family again in 1972. Her younger brother, Dan Narron, born June 6, 1944, died on April 14, 1972, following a serious work accident in Herford County, where he was caught in a sand pit collapse. He was rushed to Roanoke Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie, NC, but succumbed to his injuries and was also buried in the Narron Family Cemetery.

Just months later, on December 13, 1972, her mother, Neta, died from a head injury sustained in a head-on auto collision on Highway 52. She was pronounced dead at Northern Surry Hospital and rests beside her family in the Narron Family Cemetery. Despite these profound losses, Pat's family expanded with the birth of her half-sister, Sharon Anita Godwin, born in 1958 from her mother Neta's relationship with William Vester Godwin.

James's Early Life and Distinguished Career

James Earl Narron Sr. was born on December 14, 1942, in Johnston County, North Carolina, the son of James Otis and Bertha Narron. He grew up with his brother, Otis Lee Narron, who later passed away in 2016.

James embarked on a remarkable career, primarily with Philip Morris, where he rose to the position of plant manager in Chester, Virginia. Beyond his corporate achievements, James was deeply committed to community service and leadership development. He served as the director of the Southside United Way, was recognized as Manager of the Year by the International Management Council, and acted as an arbitrator for Chesterfield County. Demonstrating his passion for leadership, James also authored and published three books on leadership qualities.

Together, they built their family with two sons: Kenneth Earl Narron in 1960 and Allen Scott Narron in 1968.

Ken married Tammy Ellis and Allen married Janie Clark.

Their family grew further with the arrival of four grandchildren: Kenny Narron Jr., Kyle Narron, Matthew Narron, and Kayla Narron, bringing immense joy to their lives.

Jim took Pat on a vacation to Hawaii in 1991.

Passing

James Earl Narron Sr. passed away at the age of 76 on August 27, 2018, in Chester, Virginia, after bravely battling cancer. He was laid to rest in Sunset Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Chester, Chesterfield, Virginia.

Patricia "Pat" Narron continues to live, carrying forward the legacy of her family and the shared memories of a life well-lived with James.