UPDATE – Arrangements Set For Pat Rasberry

TUPELO (WCBI) After a 3 year off and on struggle with cancer, Patricia “Pat” Rasberry, died at 3:40 AM today, Friday, September 16, 2016 at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo. Pat had devoted 30 years to the promotion of Tupelo and Northeast Mississippi as a valued employee of the Tupelo Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. She was the founder, enthusiastic supporter and only Executive Director of the Tupelo Film Commission in its 25 year history. Pat was wildly respected and revered in the film industry locally, throughout the State of Mississippi, the Mid South and around the world. She tirelessly promoted film production in Tupelo and Mississippi and was on the cutting edge of bringing film makers to this area.

RASBERRY

Her close friend and member of the Tupelo Film Commission Board, Rep. Steve Holland, had the following to say: “Pat Rasberry was a committed, stellar film hero.   She saw no obstacles and her optimistic, dogged approach to providing energy, spirit, resources and venues for films, film makers and all those players is legendary in these parts. She had the innate ability trough education and dedication to bring people together. The Tupelo Film Festival, which she founded, has become a brilliant model for small film venues and festivals. She is respected among her peers and unexcelled by the fans of film for her expertise and success. Her legacy will no doubt serve to strengthen the resolve of generations to come in enhancing our quality of life and economic development dreams. Our gratitude is overwhelming for this daughter of Mississippi who put us on the international stage, loved us and made us better people for her warm personality and zeal and zest for life and living—through films and personally.”

Services honoring Pat Rasberry’s life and legacy will be held at 4:30 PM Sunday, September 18, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church, Jefferson St., in Tupelo.   The family will receive friends from 2 PM-4 PM Sunday at Holland Funeral Directors, Tupelo Chapel, 5281 Cliff Gookin Blvd., Tupelo, MS. 38801 (662 840 5000) is assisting the family with arrangements. She is survived by her husband, John A. “Ras” Rasberry, Jr. , her siblings , Jimmy and Bill and a host of friends around the world.