Patrice Durban Tavernier

Patrice Durban Tavernier, 82, passed away Friday, May 29, 2026.

Patrice was born on April 8, 1944 in Charleston, SC. She was the daughter of the late George and Polly Tecklenburg Durban.

As a 4th generation Aikenite and great-granddaughter of Dr. Frampton Wyman, she was proud to add to the Wyman family’s long history of providing medical care to the citizens of Aiken County. (At one time in the late 1800s, four Wyman brothers were physicians practicing in Aiken.) Patrice’s interest in healthcare began with her serving as a teenage “candy striper” at the old Aiken County Hospital. She went on to graduate from the St. Francis School in Nursing in Charleston, SC and to receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia.

She enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Registered Nurse and served at the Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in Oakland, California where she held the rank of Lieutenant J.G.

She was a founding member of the nursing staff at Doctor’s Hospital in Augusta.

Starting in the 1990s she held positions of increasing responsibility with Health Management Associates, an NYSE-listed hospital holding company. Her career at HMA including positions as CEO of Fisherman’s Hospital in Marathon, Florida, Chief Operating Officer of Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville, SC, and CEO of Chester Regional Medical Center in Chester, SC.

Following her retirement from HMA, she became a case manager for Daybreak Adult Care Services in Aiken, where she served for 10 years. Throughout her healthcare career, Patrice always strived to treat the individuals in her care with dignity and compassion.

Patrice met David Tavernier, a recent graduate of Florida Atlantic University, in Boca Raton in 1976. They were married a year later. As they moved over the years to various cities in Florida, Minnesota and South Carolina, they made many friendships in each community that have remained strong to this day.

Patrice and David were able to enjoy frequent overseas trips. They also took immense delight in their many canine companions over the years.

Patrice is survived by her beloved husband, David Maynard Tavernier, and their cherished daughter, Anne Marie Tavernier Ogilvie (Eric). Other survivors include her brothers George Durban, III (Debbie) and Paul Durban, brother-in-law Bill Tavernier, nephew George Durban IV (Nan), grand-nephew George Durban V, grand-niece Mae Durban, and many cousins.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 6, 2026, at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, 138 Fairfield St. SE, with the Very Reverend Richard Wilson officiating. Inurnment, with US Navy Honors, will follow in the church columbarium.  A reception will then follow at Mother Theresa Hall at St. Mary Help of Christians Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, 125 Park Ave. SE, Aiken SC 29801 or to Aiken FOTAS (www.fotasaiken.org).

A prayer service will be held at 5:00pm on Friday, June 5th with visitation to follow until 7:00pm at SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN SC 29801.