Selma Cash Paty
Selma Cash Paty, a pioneer Chattanooga female lawyer, died at her home Sunday at the age of 89.
City Judge Sherry Paty said, "She was practicing law and representing clients up to the very end. That's what she loved to do."
She had practiced law in Chattanooga for almost 70 years and was a fierce protagonist for her client.
She was born Selma Rosalie Greenberg to immigrant parents. Her father had a clothing store in Chattanooga.
Ms. Paty graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1944 and gained her law degree at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.
She served as president of the Chattanooga Bar Association and the Chattanooga Trial Lawyers Association. She was on the board of directors of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association.
She was a Fellow of the Chattanooga Bar Association.
Ms. Paty, known to family and friends as "Sunny," served on the Juvenile Court Commission from 1968-1974 and on the Tennessee Commission on the Status of Women from 1974-1976.
She was a member of the National Association of Trial Advocates.
Judge Paty said she mentored many young attorneys.
Her sisters were Helen and Bunny, who married Dr. Louis Ulin.
Ms. Paty was married to attorney Mickey Cash and later to Ralph Paty Sr.
Her children are Charles, Pam O'Dwyer, Gaye Wade, Ralph Jr. and Kem Alexander. Charles and Pam practiced law with her, as did her niece Alison Ulin Lynch.
She had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
There will be no funeral services, according to Ms. Paty's wishes.
However, Judge Paty said a memorial service may be held in a few weeks, perhaps outside her longtime office at Patten Parkway.
Ms. Paty owned much of the north side of Patten Parkway, including the former Ross Hotel.