Patricia Cann

Patricia Adams Cann, 80, of Morrow, Georgia, passed peacefully to Heaven in Johns Creek, Georgia, on February 11, 2021.

Pat was born February 19, 1940, to George Drayton (G. D.) & Frances “Bink” Adams in Atlanta, GA. She was a 1958 graduate of Fulton High School, where she was a member of Latin Club, National Honor Society, and the women’s basketball team; served as Advanced Girls Choir and Mixed Choir accompanist; and was voted “Most Talented” by her senior class. After high school, she followed her dream of opening a music store, Pat’s Music Center, where she taught and mentored numerous piano students. After marriage, she gave birth to her daughter, Lori, and while pregnant with her son, Dray, she went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduating from Medical College of Georgia in 1977.  She then obtained her nursing license and proudly became Pat Cann, RN, BSN.

Pat worked as a home health nurse for 40 years, creating her own schedule that allowed her to stay up all night, sleep until noon, attend all of her grandchildren’s events, and never miss a Sunday afternoon choir practice. She was known as the “IV Queen.” If a colleague couldn’t get an IV in, they’d call Pat to come to their rescue. She’d see patients every holiday so other nurses could be home with their children, then she’d arrive at family gatherings in her scrubs and wouldn't leave until all the dishes were done. She somehow managed to find a perfect balance between working hard and always having time with family.

Pat had a deep love and appreciation for gospel music. She was church organist at New Hope Baptist (Atlanta, GA) then church pianist for 40+ years, first at Victory Baptist (Forest Park, GA) then Rock Springs Baptist (Morrow, GA). She was a musical genius—composer, arranger, writer, choir director, and accompanist, with talent like no other and too much humility to ever admit it. When she played, the world stopped; music was her second language. If she was accompanying you, she was your security blanket, effortlessly covering any of your mistakes and giving you the courage to share your gift. She held the show together, sitting confidently behind her piano, always allowing someone else the spotlight.

In addition to her nursing career and her music, her favorite things were being Ma Pat to her grandkids, shopping, spaghetti, Christmas, traveling (especially her annual Memorial Day trip with her sister, Angie, and October trips to Gatlinburg with her family), and any show on TLC. She loved black coffee, banana popsicles, coconut cream pie, Waffle House, and Cracker Barrel.  She wore a ring on every finger, her wrists covered in bracelets, and a fancy hat when the occasion was appropriate. Orange, yellow, and blue made up much of her wardrobe, often accessorizing with elephants and giraffes. Honesty was her nature; she was quick to tell you when something was “plum dumb” and even quicker to defend you when needed. Her blue and green couch was always open for late-night counseling sessions with her countless friends and her “boys” (and her one girl, Nikki) who rented out her basement. She was funny, smart, strong, and full of integrity. She bravely fought cancer four times and won; she never complained. In 2015, she was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a disease that robs its victims of their memory and motor skills. She battled it gracefully, still maintaining her sharp wit, keen sense of humor, and ability to play any song on command.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, George Drayton and Frances Adams, her stepson, Ricky Cann, and great-nephew, Christopher Smith. She is survived by her children, Lori Waldrop, Drayton Cann (Amy), Angela Wright (Ed), Michael Cann (Laurie); her sister, Angela Smith (Harold); her grandchildren, Jason Cann (Ivy), Tara Fellows (Drew), Brandon Cann, Kelly Slaton (Chase), Krystal Young (Brian), Blake Waldrop, Justin Waldrop, Kayden Cann-Smith (Brandon), Ava Cann, and Devin Scott; her great-grandchildren, Tyla Cann, Junior Cann, Emily Cann, Luke Cann, Miguel Cann, Aden Fellows, Grayson Fellows, Lennox Young, Brody Slaton, and Taylor Fellows; her niece and nephew, Christi Grace and Joel Smith (Joni); her great-niece and great-nephew, Savannah Rutledge and Matthew Smith; her beloved cousin, George Adams; and honorary son, Scott Lawhorne (Jolain), and grandchildren, Logan Lawhorne and Lyndsey Lawhorne.

A celebration of life in Pat’s honor will be held at First Baptist Church of Forest Park on Saturday, February 20, 2021. Visitation will begin at 12pm followed by a service at 1pm.