Patricia Dianne Gillis Lard, age 77, beloved wife of Lynn Martin Lard of Harvest, AL, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2024. Patricia was born in Laurel, MS,  on October 6, 1947. She was the daughter of the late Lt.Col Jack Thomas Gillis and Josephine Annie Carmack Gillis. Patricia was preceded in death by her brothers Thomas Abel Stone, Roderick Edward Gillis, and Robert Clark Gillis.

Mrs. Lard is survived by her husband Lynn, daughters Heather (Trent) Gaines of Huntsville, AL; Susan (Marc) Chipps of American Falls, ID; sister Jennifer Cai Gillis (Tim Sullivan) of MA, grandchildren, Mason (Summer) Gaines; Grace (Maverick) Mason; Katie Claire (Harrison) Key; Annaliesse Gaines and five great-grandchildren: Brexley Chipps, Gabriel Mason, Sawyer Gaines, Emmett Mason and Parker Gaines.

Patricia was a loving wife and mother. Both her father and husband were retired Air Force Officers allowing her to live and travel to many locations around the world.  She attended high school in Germany and college at Troy University. She loved to read, garden and was an excellent cook. She especially loved to spend time with her grandchildren, they were the light of her life. She was the quintessential Southern host and loved to entertain friends and family and had an easy way of making people feel comfortable. She never met a stranger. Her sense of humor and laugh were contagious and she was adored by everyone who met her. She touched many and will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Visitation for Mrs. Lard will be held on Sunday, October 20th, from 9:30-11:00 AM at Berryhill Funeral Home with a service immediately following at 11:00 AM. Rev. Patrick Price will be officiating. Mrs. Lard will be laid to rest at Pleas Mount Cemetery Gurley, AL.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to Hurricane Helene Relief and Recovery efforts.