Obituary of Selma Cash Paty

On Wednesday, March 2, 1927, in New York City, Selma Rosalie Greenburg was the third daughter born to Alexander & Marion Greenberg. In 1932, her family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where her Father opened his clothing manufacturing plant, Greenberg Clothing. He worked very hard and expected his children to do the same. If the sisters were not in school, they were at the plant working. Selma always credited her amazing work ethic to the example her Father set for her. Known to her friends as Sunny, a nick name that expresses perfectly what her New York relatives noticed when she would come back after living in the South. They called her Southern Sunshine and she shone! The name stuck. “Sunny” was well loved throughout her life for that wonderful disposition. She graduated from City High School in 1943, and attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison where she majored in journalism. After World War II ended, she attended Cumberland Law School, earning her Bachelor of Law degree in 1947. She then began practicing law in Chattanooga with her husband, Mickey Cash and his brother, Ben Cash. While she was in law school, she had her first child, Pamela, who later followed in her Mother’s footsteps and joined the firm in 1969, with Phil Lawrence, continuing the family firm tradition. The family business expanded again when her niece, Allison Ulin joined the firm in 1975. Then, with so much pride to all, her son, Charles D. Paty, joined the family business in 1979. The firm gained the addition in 1997 of Randall Larramore, who, with his wife, Terri, instantly became like family to us all. Mrs. Paty was most thankful to Ms. Bertha Mae Congo, who began working for her in 1955, when her daughter Kem was only eight weeks old. She always said, “If it hadn’t been for Bertha, I don’t know what I would have done!” Bertha took wonderful care of “the children” like they were her own, and in a very real sense, they were. They became like sisters over the years, with Mrs. Paty taking care of the business and Bertha taking care of the home front. Bertha is loved not only by our family, but many of our friends as well. Her cooking was so wonderful that when anyone came to visit, they often would request their favorite meal, and Bertha would always prepare it. Bertha is still our “Momma”, and we all love her very much. Bertha’s daughter, Cheryl McKeldin is considered a sister to us, and her son, Albert Congo, is our brother. Also, Cheryl McKeldin’s two sons, Norman and Mario, are family as well. Bertha retired after 45 years, but she still stays in touch with our family. Those who know Mrs. Paty know that to be “inclusive” was her cardinal trait. She led flocks of young lawyers through the years and was known as one who always gave a helping hand when she could guide a younger or less experienced lawyer. She formed strong bonds within the members of the legal community that continued always. Mrs. Paty also gained the respect of her clients through her integrity and diligence in their defense. In her earlier years, she was known to be a “man hater” in court because she represented so many women, and she would “take their husbands to the cleaners.” But over the last thirty years, the men in town would hurry to hire her before their wives could, and she did every bit as good a job for them. She had one rule for her clients: “Tell me the truth about everything, and we’ll get through this together, but if you lie to me and I get blindsided, I will not represent you.” The bonds that she made with her clients would often last for decades, and she loved receiving updates from all about their children and their lives. Her career accomplishments include being the first woman President of the Chattanooga Bar Association as well as the first woman President of the Chattanooga Trial Lawyers Association. She served on the Commission on the Status of Women, always supporting not just the rights of women, but all minorities, in the hope of true equality for all. She was also very active in The Chattanooga Jewish Community Center, now known as the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga. She enjoyed playing bridge, which is how she met and eventually married Ralph D. Paty, Sr. in 1960. They were both life masters of the American Bridge Association. Sunny was a voracious reader, usually reading three to five novels a week, in addition to the reading she did to keep current with the law. She enjoyed boating, swimming and traveling extensively earlier in her life. In 1976, she bought Patten Parkway, having the vision then that the downtown of Chattanooga had to remain vibrant. She began renovating the Parkway spaces, with the first one being her firm’s office space. Her next project on the Parkway was to renovate the space that was for many years her home, fondly known as the “penthouse apartment” above her office. She hosted many parties there where everyone enjoyed the outdoor deck that overlooked the block. Of all she accomplished during her life, she found the most joy from her family. She loved all of the “titles” as jokingly would say, of being Mother, Grandmother, Aunt Sunny, Great Grandmother, and finally Great Aunt Sunny. She loved hosting family parties for birthdays, holidays and often, for no special occasion at all but to be surrounded by the people she showered with love every day. She died very peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, May 1, 2016, just the way she always said she wanted to go. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alexander & Marion Greenberg; sister, Helen Lang and her husband, Sydney Lang and their daughter, Eileen. Her sister Bernice “Bunny” Ulin died in 1996 and then Bunny’s husband, Dr. Louis Ulin, died June 20, 2009, who was also one of her dearest friends. Also preceding her were her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Arthur and Margret Paty, John G. Paty, Sr. and, most recently, his wife, Harriett Sims “Shorty” Paty. She was also preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Charles Oates Rymer on August 2, 2004 and her great grandson, McCade Paty in 2010. She is survived by her children: daughter Pamela Rymer O’Dwyer (John Chandler), son Charles D. Paty (Kerri), daughter Kem Alexander (James “Butch” Fisher), son Ralph D. Paty, Jr. (Amy Sullivan), and daughter, Gaye Paty-Wade (Robbie). Her grandchildren; David H. Lawrence, Alex Lawrence (Meghan), Padraig O’Dwyer, Chasan Paty, Caroline Paty, Zachary Paty, Rachel Paty, Zoe Alexander Clarke, Ty Oliver Clarke, Chance Patteson Clarke, Lauren Paty Gagliardi (Tim), Lacey Paty, Blade Paty, Rocco Paty, Geoffrey Wade, Jacob E. Wade, and John-Caleb “Josey” Wade. Sara Kate Lynch and Anastasia Lang (Jim) were considered grandchildren, although technically they were great nieces. She is survived by nine great grandchildren. Former spouses of her children who she always loved: Phil C. Lawrence, Lisa Skiles Paty, Sherry Bailey Paty, & special love to Tracy P. Clarke, who’s Dear Mother, Lorraine Fournier Clarke, born on December 22, 1918 died on May 6, 2016. Also surviving her are her niece, Darryl Lang (Jerry Droll), nephew Scott Ulin and niece, Allison Ulin Lynch (Carter), niece, Peggy Paty (Ted), niece, Adair, Bunny & Al Baker, and nephew, “Jay” Paty (Charlotte) and niece, Sherry Paty Volkert (Leon). The family would like to thank Dr. Steve Thomas for his friendship and the medical care of her precious eyes. Thanks to Dr. Michael Douglas and his nurse, Kelly, for the years of care they provided her with after her nephew, John G. Paty, Jr. retired from his medical practice. Also, thanks to Dr. John A. Golding and his nurse, Sheila, for her cardiac care. Special thanks to Dr. Mutka Panda and her parents, Shyam and Shashi Parashar, for their love and support. As was her wish, the family will be hosting a Celebration of her Life on Saturday, May 14, 2016 on Patten Parkway from noon-3 p.m. Please dress casually in bright, vibrant colors for this event. Several friends will be speaking, telling stories about our beloved Sunny! In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations may be made to any charity. Her favorites were Siskin Hospital, St Jude’s, The Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga, and McKamey Animal Center. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center, at the foot of historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo (423) 821-7551. Share your memories at www.wannfuneralhome.com.