Patricia R.L. Bounds

Patrica was born on June 28th, 1927, in New Market, Alabama. Pat was the fourth child of Lillie and Peter Baker, proceeded by her older sister Vashti, brothers Bill and Robert Jack. Pat’s given name was Rosa Leah, but being the feisty person she was, she officially added “Patricia” to her legal name later in life. She never lost the endearing moniker of “Tootsie” among her Alabama family.

Pat spent her childhood and teenage years growing up on a large family farm, spending countless hours helping her mother with chores both indoors and out. World War II served as the backdrop of her teen years while attending New Market High School. She had vivid memories of food rationing, popular swing music, and waiting anxiously for the safe return of her two brothers serving in the Pacific theater. Following her high school graduation in May 1946, Pat left for a three-year nursing program in Birmingham. Carraway Methodist Hospital became her home away from home until June 1, 1949, when she received her R.N. diploma

In 1950, Pat and her best friend from nursing school, Dean Moore, made their way to San Diego by train. Pat certainly had an adventurous streak but was a less-than-skilled driver, traits that soon landed her at the auto repair shop of Burris and Bounds after crashing her brother’s car. Romance quickly blossomed, and less than two weeks later, Pat and James “Roy” Bounds drove to Yuma, Arizona, where they were married on October 17th, 1950.

On September 8th, 1951, Pat and Roy became parents to baby Teresia, affectionately known as Terry. Pat continued her nursing career in the San Diego area but ultimately chose to be a full-time home-maker around the time the family moved into her beloved new home in El Cajon in 1957. 1214 Coral Street remained Pat’s home for more than sixty-five years. At the age of ninety-five, she moved to Good Samaritan Retirement Center, where she enjoyed an active life and made many new friends.

Patricia is predeceased by Roy, her beloved husband of sixty-eight years; survived by her daughter, Terry Bounds Mechling; her grandchildren, Jamie Mechling and Keri Mechling (Sean Oman); and her great-grandchildren, Brayden Mechling, Graham Mechling, Kieran Oman and Colette Oman.