Martha Patricia "Patty" Armstrong Hovis

Martha Patricia "Patty" Armstrong Hovis entered this world on May 31, 1954, and peacefully took her final breath on August 19, 2025, surrounded by the love of her life and high school sweetheart, Steve Hovis. She was the cherished daughter of the late Bob and Betty Armstrong of Rock Hill, SC, and the beloved second of four daughters, survived by her three devoted sisters: Cathy Kemp, Jane Armstrong, and Gaye Ehmann.

Patty's childhood was filled with the joy of riding horses in Meadow Lakes alongside her sisters, a best friend that she thought of as a sister, Wendy Blanchard, and many other dear friends, playing softball, and cheering as a varsity cheerleader for the Rock Hill High School Bearcats. A proud graduate of Winthrop University, she began her professional career at The Federal Land Bank the day after graduation, where she worked with distinction for over 17 years. She later brought her talents to the law firm Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman before finding her professional home as Office Manager at Hamilton Martens Ballou and Sipe (now Hamilton Martens, LLC).

Throughout her career, Patty exemplified dedication, dependability and excellence. Even during her courageous battle with cancer over the past year and a half, she missed only two days of work. She treasured her coworkers as family, and the Hovis family will be forever grateful for the love and understanding they showed her until her final working day.

Together with Steve, Patty instilled values of hard work and integrity in their four proud sons: Brian, Brett, Ross and Reid. Despite maintaining a full-time career, she was an unwavering presence in their lives, attending countless athletic events, emphasizing the importance of education, ensuring regular church attendance and providing home-cooked meals. She served as a mother figure to many in the community and, most importantly, exemplified the qualities her sons should seek in a life partner—wisdom that guided them well when they married Cece Moseley, Casey Nickles, Carrie Horne and Savannah Watkins.

Patty's greatest joy came from her eight grandsons: Grayden, Briggs, Jacks, Houston, William, Raines, Waylon and Barrett. Her pride in "her boys" was boundless, and she spoke of them daily to anyone who would listen. She dedicated herself to being as strong a presence in their lives as she had been for her sons, delighting in spoiling them with Clemson game tickets, lake house adventures, beach trips to Springmaid and Edisto, overnight stays at Nana and Pop's Clemson condo, and spirited games of Old Maid, War, and Go Fish, followed by her famous special pancakes each morning. She would drop everything and travel for miles to attend their sporting events, always ready to share some of "Nana's magic." While the time she spent with each grandchild varied, the quality remained constant—nothing but pure, unconditional love.

A true Southern Belle who was always impeccably dressed and ready to serve others, Patty's love and joy for life extended far beyond her family. Her warmth touched everyone she encountered, from the ladies at her favorite hair and nail salons to fellow tailgaters at Clemson games, grocery store staff, and complete strangers in checkout lines during her legendary shopping excursions. She genuinely loved people, and they loved her in return.

Patty will be missed immeasurably by her family, friends, and the entire community whose lives she touched with her generous spirit, unwavering love, and infectious joy for life.

A private graveside service will be held for family and close friends. A Celebration of Life service will follow on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. John's United Methodist Church, located at 321 S Oakland Avenue, Rock Hill, SC.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to a charity of your choice.