Submitted PhotoValdosta High School art teacher Teresa Middleton and Britt McLane of Carson McLane Funeral Home stand with a painted work by the late Patsy Smith, a VHS art teacher for more than 40 years. 

VALDOSTA — McLane Funeral Home recently donated painted divider panels that were painted by the late Patsy Smith to Valdosta High School.

The artwork has been displayed in the veteran’s room at McLane Funeral Home since it was originally donated, according to a press release. The patriotic painting will find its new home in the new Valdosta High School in the media center when the school opens next fall.

Smith was a Valdosta City Schools art teacher for 40 years until her retirement in 1997. She then worked an additional 15 years at Valwood School and passed away at the age of 78 in 2013.

She was well known in the Valdosta community as the Wildcat Lady because of her original painting of the VHS Wildcat.

Teresa Middleton, VHS art teacher, remembered Smith and her artistic ability and love of teaching art.

“Patsy worked in the old Valdosta High School before the current school was occupied in 1973 and taught art with me in this art room with two other art teachers,” Middleton said. “This donation would mean the world to her that she will have a space in the new VHS. It is like having a piece of Patsy moving to her third Valdosta High.”