Patience Fitzwater

Patience Malvenia (Sines) Fitzwater, 76, of Oakland went to her heavenly home on Monday, October 17, 2016. Without a doubt, she was greeted with, "You have fought the good fight, you have finished the course, and you have kept the faith." Born on January 31, 1940 in Oakland, she was the daughter of the late Theodore and Rose Elizabeth (Pysell) Sines. In addition to her parents, Patience was preceded in death by her first husband, Roger DeBerry, with whom she had a daughter, Yvonne Wigfield Hurst of Burke, VA; her second husband of fifty-five years, William E. Fitzwater, Jr.; an infant twin daughter, Doris Faye; a son, Thomas Allen Fitzwater; sisters and brothers in law, Dessie and Luke Bowman, Elinor and Joseph Wigfield, and Ray C. "Bob" Martin. She was a 1957 graduate of Southern High School and the International Beauty School. Vogue Beauty Salon in Oakland is where she began her career in cosmetology. While raising a family of nine children, as well as assisting her husband with their family farm, she was employed as a Dietary Aide at Garrett County Memorial Hospital. She retired in 1988. She was a member of the Crellin Assembly of God Church. Patience suffered a stroke at the young age of 28. She was plagued with additional strokes and numerous health obstacles for the remainder of her life. But throughout her struggles, her faith of God, positive outlook, sense of humor and ability to laugh remained strong. She will be most remembered for her cheerful smile. Patience is survived by three daughters, Dora Fitzwater Hanlin and husband Art of Oakland, Donna Fitzwater Wolfe and husband Terry of Mission, TX and Norma Jean Fitzwater Nelson of Nokesville, VA; five sons, Frederick "Chuck" Fitzwater and wife Brenda, William Fitzwater, III and wife Shirley, Ralph Fitzwater and wife Joyce, Douglas Fitzwater and wife Kim, and Michael Fitzwater, all of Oakland; fifteen grandchildren, Sarah Hanlin (Jeremy) Henry, Jacob Hanlin, Staci, Justin, Matthew (Whitney), Ryan, Jeremy, Joshua (Andrea), and Nathan (Kimi) Fitzwater, LaDonna Wolfe, Tara Wolfe (Fred) Wilkins, Joey and Davey Nelson, Jennifer Fitzwater, and Jessica Fitzwater (Jeff) Kader; ten great grandchildren, Lane, Lyle, Madison, Marlie, Gabriel, Austin and Lucas Fitzwater, Andrew Wolfe, Aaron and Audrey Wilkins; a sister, Leota Martin of Oakland; and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received at the C & S FREDLOCK FUNERAL HOME, P.A., 21 N 2nd St., Oakland on Friday, October 21st from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM and on Saturday, October 22nd from 10 to 11 AM after which time a funeral service will be held with her grandson, Rev. Davey Nelson officiating. Interment will follow in the North Glade Rose Hill Cemetery, Swanton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Garrett County, PO Box 271, Oakland, MD 21550.