Patricia Ann "Patti" Besco

Patricia Ann Besco, known to those who loved her as Patti, passed away on June 18, 2026, in Kingsport, Tennessee, after an extended illness. She was 81 years old.

Patti was born on August 16, 1944, in Seattle, Washington, and was raised in Portsmouth, Ohio. Even as a young girl, she had a gift for music and a voice that turned heads. She sang in school choirs from her earliest years and went on to join a select a cappella group in high school. She even lent her voice to radio commercials at WPAY in Portsmouth. Her father was a gifted musician and could play any piece of music by ear on nearly any instrument. Patti inherited the same talent, but as the story goes, when her father insisted that she take up music in school, she did not want to carry an instrument, so she chose the choir.

On July 20, 1962, Patti married the love of her life, Tom Besco, and the two began building a life together that would span more than six decades. In her younger years, Patti loved to travel and was endlessly creative, painting beautiful ceramic pieces that reflected her artistic eye. She had a green thumb and filled her home with gorgeous houseplants. She did not have a love of cooking. Although she had a few special dishes that were family favorites, she had a strong belief that all vegetables needed to be boiled for at least 30 minutes prior to eating them. She overcooked so many chicken breasts in her life that in his later years, Tom refused to eat chicken entirely in any form. She was also the kind of person who decorated for every single holiday, turning her home into something warm and festive no matter the season. She had a generous spirit and was always looking out for her friends.

Patti and Tom shared a deep love of animals, especially dogs, and over the years they welcomed many beloved pups into their home. Music remained a lifelong passion for Patti. She had a particular love of old-time gospel music and enthusiastically followed contemporary gospel artists on social media.

Patti was a devout Baptist her entire adult life. For nearly 20 years, she was a faithful member of First Southern Baptist Church in Blountville, Tennessee, where she sang in the choir, helped prepare communion trays, and served her church family in countless ways. Her husband, Tom, served as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher, and Patti was always his proudest supporter.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tom Besco, who passed on April 16, 2026; her mother, Ruth Clifford; and her father, George "Jake" Clifford. She is survived by her daughter, Julie Besco and partner Bryan Nance of Maine, and her son, Jeff Besco, of Ohio.

While losing both Patti and Tom so close together has been a profound loss for their friends and family, we take comfort in knowing that they will not have to spend a single wedding anniversary apart. Their 64th anniversary is coming up on July 20, and they will be celebrating it together in heaven.

A private burial will take place on Monday, June 22, followed by funeral services at 3:00 PM at First Baptist Church in Blountville, Tennessee.