HINTON- “Patricia Lee Mick of Hilldale, WV passed away on Friday, May 15, 2026 following a short illness caused by complications of ALS at the age of 78. I had known Mrs. Mick since I was a small child at Talcott Elementary School And then had her as my 10th grade algebra teacher. My locker was directly across the hall from her classroom. She was always one of the most pleasant souls the entire time I knew her as a teacher and in her retirement.
She attained a teaching degree from Concord University in mathematics and French in 1968. She first taught at Princeton Junior High School, then served as a guidance counselor at Greenbrier East High School for one semester before starting her tenure as a Summers County educator at Talcott Junior High School in 1973.
After Summers County schools were consolidated and Talcott High School closed its doors in 1995, she moved on to Summers County High School. She taught until 2003, having served 34 years as a teacher. A large majority of that time was spent teaching teenagers in Summers County French and math skills. Since her passing, I have read where several former students said she tutored them after school.
A fact many people may not realize about Mrs. Mick is that she served as a certified lay speaker for the Talcott and Hinton Circuit until 2006 and continued as a guest speaker at several churches for years afterward. She was a former member of the WV Global Ministry of the United Methodist Church.
When I wrote the history of Trinity Methodist Church in Talcott, it was due to her involvement with my brother David Lee Jones and his company, JC Construction, installing the new roof on the church in 2023. I messaged her back and forth on Facebook on numerous occasions discussing the history for that particular article when I wrote it last year.
As long as her health allowed, she enjoyed traveling, reading, and doing jigsaw puzzles. She faithfully followed her daily TV schedule from morning to night. She treasured her former students and often said with pride, “I taught them.” She cherished time with family and friends, and above all, she loved serving the Lord, whether through teaching from the pulpit or serving her community.
I went to her memorial service on May 20, 2026, at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel in Hinton. Her daughter Sara Mills told me that she found something while the family was writing her obituary that had my signature on it from 1993. I couldn’t believe she had kept this card that my second-grade teacher, Karla Tabor had our class sign for Mrs. Mick for Teacher Appreciation Day after 33 years. It put a smile on my face as I always held Mrs. Mick in the highest regards.
In honor of Mrs. Mick and the fact my fondest memory of her occurred when she spoke to our bible club my senior year in 2004, I will end this story with the same bible verse that her obituary ended with: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13″
