Patricia Gaye Ludwig

Patricia Gaye Ludwig, age 62 of Hopkinsville, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 6, 2020 at the Hospice House of Southern Kentucky in Bowling Green.

She was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on August 27, 1957 to the late Ben and Sidney Smithson.  She was the oldest of three daughters, followed by Sherri Kelly and Myra Kaye Hancock. 

Patricia attended Murray State University where she majored in dance before moving with her church to Arizona.  In Tucson, Patricia met her husband, Dr. Mark Allen Ludwig and they began their adventure together. They raised their amazing five sons, Benjamin Michael, Matthew Robert, Isaac Harrison, Jeremiah Luke and Jonathan Daniel. She moved to San Ignacio, Belize, with her family and they embraced their new life in Central America where they made life-long friends. Patricia returned to Hopkinsville and attended New Work Fellowship and shortly thereafter became ill.  She will be forever loved and missed by many. 

Patricia was generous, loving, and kind.  One who knew the true meaning of loyalty and friendship.  A gentle spirit, caring and giving, always believing the best in you and always had your back!  She lived a simple life and focused on the things that were important to her like her heritage and family, music, fresh flowers in the house, roses in her garden, friends, her own home and her sons.  No matter what difficulty she was faced with in life, she never quit believing in the goodness of God.  She loved the Lord with her whole heart and always sought to understand His ways.  She chose to believe the Lord and to fight the good fight of faith.  As she said countless times, “It’s all about Jesus!”.  Well, you did it, Patricia!  You finished the race!  You kept the faith! And you have won the Prize! Now you have perfect health, perfect peace, and abounding joy. Everything that you knew was there for you in this life and the next.  I know your crown is full of beautiful jewels. Jewels that you will be gratefully blessed to lay at Jesus’ feet in worship.  And we know you heard Him say, “Well done, daughter.  Well done!” 

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents as well as a sister Myra Kaye Hancock (January 2019).  She is survived by her five sons Benjamin Michael of Conroe, Texas, Matthew Robert of San Ignacio, Belize, Isaac Harrison of Guysville, Ohio, Jeremiah Luke of Tucson, Arizona and Jonathan Daniel of Wichita Falls, Texas and a sister Sherri Kelly (Tom) of Naples, Florida.

At her request, a memorial service will not be held.  The family asks that a sincere smile, a heartfelt prayer, or an act of loving kindness be shared in her honor.