By Alicia Couch Payne
Patricia Roebuck Nash graduated from Buford High School in 1962. She was born in 1944 in Buford to Nell and J.W. Roebuck. Mrs. Nash is the eldest of four daughters who each graduated from BHS. She said her parents “always taught us children about loyalty and commitment to our city.” These lessons were never far from her mind. They spurred Mrs. Nash to always strive to do her best and her hard work has been evident throughout her life.
While at Buford High School, Mrs. Nash was actively involved in activities at the school. She played the clarinet in the band and was a majorette. She was also a member of the Future Teachers of America Club, Future Homemakers of America Club, and the Beta Club. Mrs. Nash participated in the One Act Play and Literary, as well as, was a cast member of her senior play. Several of her proudest moments at BHS took place in the old Buford gym on Hill Street. She was crowned Miss Buford in 1960 and gave her valedictorian speech in that gym. In her speech, Mrs. Nash predicted that man would walk on the moon and it took place just seven years later.
After graduation, Mrs. Nash went to North Georgia College where she graduated with a bachelors degree in English literature. She earned an assistantship at Appalachian State University that afforded her the opportunity to earn two masters degrees, English and Psychology. Using her new degrees, she taught students at Appalachian State University, Miami Beach High School, and Gainesville College before returning to her roots in Buford.
Mrs. Nash’s career serving the students of Buford spanned 29 years from 1970 to 1999. During her tenure at Buford, she was an English teacher and directed the Theatre program at the high school. One of her proudest accomplishments was her involvement in the formation of the first Drama Club and Thespian Society at BHS. Theatre was a passion of hers and said the last play she directed was the “Little Shop of Horrors!”
These days Mrs. Nash is living in Buckhead with her husband of nearly 34 years, Mr. Lamar Nash who owned Lamar Nash Buick and Pontiac in Buford. Mrs. Nash has always enjoyed traveling and often took her students on trips to locations like Europe, California, and New York. She shared her love of traveling with her husband. While on a trip to Istanbul, Turkey her husband suffered a severe stroke and requires assistance in his daily life which is why they moved to Buckhead in 2009 to be near doctors and her son. Mrs. Nash’s son, Casey Keesee, a 1989 BHS graduate helps his mother find caregivers for his stepfather. Casey has worked for Sotheby’s Fine Homes as a real estate agent for the last ten years.
Although Mrs. Nash no longer lives in Buford, her heart remains firmly in this community. She is still involved with the Miss Buford pageant and keeps tabs on the people she came to know over the years from Buford. That is most especially true of her former students who probably can call their former teacher their number one fan.
Buford has been able to hold onto their core values of tradition, family, community, and hard work. Mrs. Nash has dedicated her life to the betterment of the children of this city. Even in her retirement, Mrs. Nash says, “I’ll always have a soft heart for my Wolves!” Once a Wolf, always a Wolf!
