Helen Patricia (Downey) Shannon

Helen Patricia Downey Shannon, 86, of Campobello, passed away at her home on July 21, 2025.
She was the daughter of the late William Melton Downey and the late Margaret Elizabeth Hofmeister. She was the wife of Thomas "Tom" Andrew Shannon.

Known as Pat, Mom, Grandma, and GiGi to her family and friends. Pat and Tom met each other, fell in love and eloped and married at the very young ages of 15 and 17. Starting a family at such a young age they worked hand in hand together, building a life and providing for their sons’.  During 70+ years of marriage, Pat and Tom made many moves around the country, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio then back to South Carolina, where she has always considered home. Pat has made so many friends in her life. Being an avid bowler, a bingo lover, a seamstress, an artist, a stained-glass glazier. She enjoyed a game of Golf and was a member of Links of Tryon. She had a fondness for slot machines and looked forward to her sons taking her to the casino on her birthdays. She liked meeting new people and growing friendships with her neighbors. She really loved being active and sharing her talents with anyone that would ask. Of all things important to her, being a Grandma and GiGi was her favorite role. She was always excited to spend time at the family functions. The annual events like the 4th of July, birthdays, anniversaries or just a visit, Pat loved any chance she had to spend time with her loved ones and watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren play. She left this world with nothing unsaid. She expressed her love to everyone in the family.

From all that loved you, let’s have one more Jim Beam and Coke (Her Favorite Drink). Until we all meet again in Heaven. We love you Mom.

In addition to her husband Tom, she is survived by her sons, Thomas "Skip" Andrew Shannon, Jr. (Vickie), Patrick Michael Shannon (Lynn), James Paul Shannon (Anong) and Mark Anthony Shannon (Dana); her brothers, Richard Charles Downey and Thomas Jefferson Downey; twelve grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by two sons, Edward John Shannon and Barry Charles Shannon; a brother, William "Duke" Melton Downey.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at Petty Funeral Home from 2:00-4:00PM.   A funeral mass will be held at 10:00AM Monday, July 28, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tryon, NC conducted by Father Matthew Buettner. Burial will be in Cannon-Byrd Memorial Park in Fountain Inn, SC.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Shriners Children’s Greenville, Office of Philanthropy, 950 West Faris Rd. Greenville, SC 29605 or online at https://donate.lovetotherescue.org or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org/donate.

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