Patricia Grice Gugle, 73, of Wauchula, passed away at her home on Wednesday, July 22, 2020. She was born August 24, 1946 in Wauchula, the daughter of fifth generation Hardee Countians, Matthew Grice and Pearl Albritton Grice. She graduated from Hardee High School in 1964 and from
Florida State University in 1967 with a B.S. degree in Home Economics. She was a member of the honorary Home Economics sorority, Omicron Nu, while attending FSU. She began teaching in the Hardee County School System in December 1967 at Bowling Green Elementary and transferred to Hardee High School in the fall of 1968. She taught Home Economics there for 30 years, until retiring. While teaching, she earned her Master's degree in 1982 from the University of South Florida in Adult and Vocational Education.

Patricia occasionally taught evening classes for South Florida Community College. Along with her love of teaching, a large part of her life revolved around her church. She was a member of Fort Green Baptist Church and served as the Church organist. She had taught Sunday School for many years. She served on the church Decoration and Beautification Committee, the Ladies Night Out Banquet Committee, the Church Music Committee, Vacation Bible School Decoration Committee, and the Wednesday Cooking Committee.

She served as one of the directors of the College Hill School Committee. She also served as secretary and treasurer for this group and helped sponsor the yearly College Hill School Reunion for anyone who had attended school there. Pat helped preserve the building and continue its traditions.

Mrs. Gugle served on the Round-Up Board of Directors with the Peace River Electric Cooperative. She represented District One by helping make decisions concerning assistance to needy individuals and groups who applied to this board, which also administered thousands of dollars in scholarships each year.

She was very interested in genealogy and had traced several Hardee County family trees and compiled the findings into folders and presented copies to friends and family.

Survivors include her one and only and much loved daughter, Stephanie Anne Gugle of Bowling Green, and many cousins.

Funeral services will be on Monday, July 27, 2020 at Fort Green Baptist Church at 3:00 PM. Visitation is 2-3 PM. Interment is at Paynes Creek Cemetery. Pastors Ricky Dyal, Albert Blum, Roland Davis, and Hollis Albritton will officiate.