Jerri Dawn Patrick

Jeri Patrick, 55, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2026. She leaves behind a grieving family, heartbroken friends, and quite possibly a few people who are thinking, "Well, who am I supposed to argue with now?"

Jeri graduated from Science Hill High School in 1989, joined the U.S. Army Reserves, and served as an 88M Motor Transport Operator. She later worked as a Sullivan County Sheriff's Deputy and jailer before finally landing where she always wanted to be-behind the wheel of a Summers-Taylor dump truck. After years of looking for her dream job, Jeri finally found her happy place: big trucks, big opinions, and nobody telling her to use her inside voice.

Jeri never met a stranger. She would talk to anybody, about anything, for as long as they were willing to listen-and sometimes after they weren't. She was loud, outspoken, occasionally abrasive, and nothing was off limits. If Jeri thought it, you were probably going to hear it. Whether you wanted her opinion or not was irrelevant; she was going to give it to you anyway. She loved making people laugh and should probably have been a stand-up comedian, although some of her material may not have made it past the censors.

Affectionately known as "Boohag," Jeri looked tough on the outside but was really a giant softie underneath. She loved animals and loved her people hard. She would give you the shirt off her back and make you a friend for life.

Jeri could make you laugh until you cried, aggravate you until you wanted to scream, and then make you laugh again five minutes later. She was fiercely loyal, full of life, and if somebody needed their butt kicked, Jeri didn't mind volunteering for the job.

And because Jeri absolutely refused to let death have the last word, she planned one final practical joke. Per Jeri's request, popcorn kernels will be placed in her pockets before cremation. She wanted her final laugh to be on the person doing the cremation when those kernels start popping. So, whoever gets that job: you're welcome.

Jeri is survived by her parents, Jerry and Sharon Patrick; sister Tonya Kennard and husband Corey; niece Alexis Patrick; and great-nephew Theo "Bug" Patrick. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Gary Patrick and Matthew Patrick, both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, a partridge in a pear tree.

Jeri may be gone, but knowing her, she's already found somebody to aggravate and make laugh.

Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the family, online condolences can be shared with the family on our website at www.trinitymemorialcenters.com.