After 38 years of prayers, hugs
‘Miss Pat’ says goodbye to CUMCWP
“Miss Pat” Kegley, center, is retiring from Concord United Methodist Church’s Weekday Preschool program after nearly 40 years of service Friday, May 17. She is pictured with a current group from the schools’ 4- and 5-year-old class. From left are Keller Mincer, Grey Roethlisberger, Bo Gary, Emmaline Wendell, Annie Coplin and Madelyn Payant.
Kegley, who began as a preschool teacher and ended up serving as the program’s director, co-director — and most recently its associate director — has served thousands of children and their families down through the years, and is retiring Friday, May 17.
Her former co-director, Pat Rapkowicz, who retired in 2018, noted Kegley “dedicated her life to this program for 38 years.
“I can’t even imagine Concord Preschool without her.”
Rapkowicz describes Kegley as “one of my dearest friends” and as “the hardest working person I have ever met. She is just very beloved, and all the kids love her.
“Most of all, it has been her ministry to the kids and families of the preschool. She has impacted so many families — you just can’t put a price on that.”
Kegley, a long-time CUMC member and Farragut resident, who also works at the Farragut Public Library, said her decision to leave “is bittersweet. It has been my life. It has been a hard decision, but I think it’s time.”
Kegley, who has two daughters and five grandchildren, started working at the preschool when her youngest daughter was three, and both of them followed in her footsteps to work at the preschool.
“This place has always been about the kids and the families, and is such a wonderful arm of the church,” she said. “It’s a wonderful place. My son-in-law calls it ‘The Happy Place.’
“It has been a blessing and an honor to serve this preschool, and as a church member, it has been very much like home for me,” Kegley added. “The staff has been so great, and everyone has been like family. They have been so supportive, and have been good Christian women, so that is going to be the hard part for me really, is leaving them.”
Her co-workers are just as effusive.
“She is just a very kind and precious person,” said Carole Ross, whose son was one of Miss Pat’s students years ago. “She loves children, loves families and is a wonderful teacher. She is caring, nurturing, a good friend and a hard worker.
“I just can’t say enough about Pat.”
Betsy Esa said Kegley’s philosophy “is filled with love” and also had a gift, especially, with young fussy babies.
“We called her the baby whisperer,” Esa said. “Really, she just has the touch.”
On a more personal note, Esa also describes Kegley as “such a blessing in my life and in my faith. She is just the epitome of a Christian woman to me.”
Her friends and co-workers have several celebrations planned, including one which is open to the community from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 19, in CUMC’s Worship Center.
“We are asking anyone of any age that Pat has ever worked with, taught or just been impacted by Pat in their lives to come and share in the celebration of Pat’s commitment to the people of the community,” said Heather Hayes, Family Ministries director for CUMC.
Kegley, who also helps care for her mother and a brother, both of whom are at NHC Farragut, said she will continue working at the library.
“I can’t walk away from that too,” she said. “It will also give me the chance to continue to see some of my students who have graduated and moved on.
“I have continued working so long because I love it, and it keeps (me) young. For me, it is all about these kids.”
