Patricia “PJ” Metts, 74, of Benton, Kentucky, who was the best friend, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother you could ever find, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
PJ was born on August 14, 1951, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, to the late Paul Wimpy and Bessie Baldwin Wimpy. After graduating from Christian County High School in 1969, PJ later attended college for a few years before beginning her lengthy career in the communication industry. Having started her career with South Central Bell, PJ spent nearly 35 years with the company, which later became known as Bell South, and eventually AT&T at the time of her retirement. As a woman of faith and a long-time member of Benton First Baptist Church, PJ loved the Lord and her church family, where she built many close friendships throughout the years.
PJ always made sure to find ways to enjoy life and spend time amongst friends and family. Whether she was taking road trips, travelling to Europe, salmon fishing in Michigan, waterskiing, or simply enjoying the leisurely life at Kentucky Lake, she always made sure to surround herself with the ones she loved most. She also made sure she never missed the opportunity for her Tuesday lunch date with the fellow ladies from AT&T. Above all else, she made sure to carve out plenty of time to spend in her favorite role as a professional grandma. From running her grandkids all around, picking them up from school, or cheering them on from the sidelines at all their sporting events, she enjoyed pouring all of her love into them, every chance she got. For PJ, it came naturally to spread this same genuine love to all the close friends and family she leaves behind.
She is survived by her husband, Allen Gildersleeve; her two daughters, Laura Wilkins (Kyle) of Kevil, Kentucky, and Lisa Balton (Robin) of Memphis, Tennessee; her two sons, Michael Metts (Cindy) of Vista, California, and Troy Metts (Brenda) of Monroe, Georgia; three sisters, Paulette Stewart of Pembroke, Kentucky, Carolyn Darnell of Madisonville, Kentucky, and Jeanette Aldridge of Pembroke, Kentucky; one brother, Larry Wimpy (Mary) of Port Wentworth, Georgia; eight grandchildren, Katherine Harris, Matilyn Harris, Hadley Harris, Rachel Hinson, Courtney Orr, Emily Balton, Zack Metts, John Baton, and 11 additional bonus grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren with two more on the way; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her former husband, Dennis Metts; and her parents, Paul and Bessie Wimpy.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Benton First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 381, Benton, KY 42025.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann, 1003 Poplar Street, Benton, Kentucky 42025.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Life Celebration Center with Bro. Todd Henson and Bro. Don Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at Mooreland Cemetery in Gilbertsville, Kentucky.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit PJ’s Tribute Wall at www.filbeckandcann.com.
