Patra Evans McAfee

Traveler and guide Patra Dean Evans McAfee of Concord earned her reward in heaven July 28, 2024 after a recurrence of breast cancer which she had battled with resolve and good humor for 16 years.

Patra was born March 29, 1965 in Winston-Salem and graduated from R.J. Reynolds high school. She was a proud graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and a rabid Tarheel – until disaster struck and both of her sons enrolled at N.C. State. But it took more than that to bother Patra, and she happily began rooting for the Wolfpack as well (provided they weren’t playing the Tarheels).

Patra was a traveler. With her devoted husband Ed and sons Hunter and Banks, and often with friends along as well, she visited Italy and the Virgin Islands on multiple occasions, as well as Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, the Bahamas and the Canary Islands. Patra took joy in travel and togetherness, and felt that her illness was small compared to the love of God, which shone through in her selflessness. Even as her illness grew over the past few months, she blessed her family with joyful trips together to the beach and Disney World.

Patra was also a guide. She planned every trip meticulously and bought trip insurance in case anything went wrong. She also carefully guided her clients in her career as a trust officer with Wachovia, First Union and Wells Fargo, assisting them in the stewardship of family assets. She was the trusted banker to philanthropist Miriam Cannon Hayes, who relied on Patra’s guidance in her most important and personal decisions. Later Patra became a real estate broker and kept Locus Real Estate Advisors and its agents on the straight and narrow as its broker in charge.

While she did big things for others, little things made Patra happy. She loved green plants, sushi, hydrangeas, and keeping things clean. Her car was always spotless; her nails were perfect even on the day she died. She loved to have friends over or to meet for a glass of wine. She was very active in her church and assisted with numerous overseas missions to help construct schools and churches.

Most importantly, Patra’s faith in God was an example to all. Her unshaking trust in His hand astounded many who came to visit during her illness. Her breathtakingly brilliant smile and the irrepressible spirit behind it never once weakened, even as her body did.

Patra was preceded in death by her father Leon Edward Evans Jr. She is survived by her mother Phyllis Evans Shifflette and bonus dad Ed Shifflette of Colfax, NC, brother Brett Evans of Wingate, NC, and loving husband Edward and sons Banks and Hunter (and wife Lauren) of Concord, as well as stepson Alex and wife Kaitlyn of Moncks Corner, SC and their children Axyl and Oaklyn. Terriers protective Pepper and bouncy Bocca were constantly by Patra’s side during her illness. A near-constant flow of friends, college roommates and former co-workers over the last six months reflects the thousands Patra touched who are also grieving her loss.

A celebration of Patra’s life will be held at He’s Alive Church in Kannapolis on Saturday August 10 at 3 pm.