***CORRECTION PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 20, 1997 FOLLOWS*** Patricia Pulling, a local expert on the occult and commissioner of the Old Dominion Girls Softball League, died Thursday after a nine-month battle with lung cancer. The day of her death was reported incorrectly in an obituary yesterday.

Patricia Ann Pulling, who began a crusade to educate the public about the occult and its possible negative influences on teen-agers, died Wednesday of cancer at age 49.

Mrs. Pulling founded BADD, Bothered About Dungeons and Dragons, after her son, Irving Lee "Bink" Pulling II, became deeply involved in the role-playing game and committed suicide in June 1982.

(ljc)

***CORRECTION PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 20, 1997 FOLLOWS*** Patricia Pulling, a local expert on the occult and commissioner of the Old Dominion Girls Softball League, died Thursday after a nine-month battle with lung cancer. The day of her death was reported incorrectly in an obituary yesterday.

Patricia Ann Pulling, who began a crusade to educate the public about the occult and its possible negative influences on teen-agers, died Wednesday of cancer at age 49.

She lived in Glen Allen.

Mrs. Pulling founded BADD, Bothered About Dungeons and Dragons, after her son, Irving Lee "Bink" Pulling II, became deeply involved in the role-playing game and committed suicide in June 1982.

She began to draw attention to the theory of Satanic cults that recruited children and in 1984 became a licensed private investigator.

Five years later she wrote the book, "The Devil's Web: Who is Stalking Your Children for Satan?"

Known nationally as an expert on the occult, she testified in capital murder trials and appeared on television, including the "Oprah Winfrey Show," "Geraldo," "60 Minutes" and "Larry King Live," to talk about teens involved in Satanic worship. She spoke on more than 200 radio shows and was the subject of numerous local and national news articles.

"She never set out to ban anything, she only wanted to educate parents," said her husband, Irving Lee Pulling.

In a 1990 interview, Mrs. Pulling said, "I do not believe (cult involvement) is an epidemic problem, but it is very widespread."

She was presented several citations and awards from police organizations, including the Kentucky Colonel Award, that state's highest civilian honor, for her work.

A native of Richmond, Mrs. Pulling served stateside in the Army during the Vietnam War and was active in local Republican politics. She also was a board member of the National Coalition on TV Violence.

At the time of her death, she was a real estate agent for the Eudaily Company and a commissioner for the Old Dominion Girls' Softball League.

In addition to her husband, survivors include four daughters, Melissa Renee Stickler of Richmond, Rachel Danielle Pulling of Glen Allen, and Jessica A. Crain and M. Robin Crain of Montpelier; four brothers, Curtis H. Adams of Montpelier, Roy T. Adams of Hanover, David Adams of Miami, and Gene A. Showker Jr. of Staunton; three sisters, Sharon Bosserman of Staunton, Kim Hawkins of Stuart's Draft, and Diane Bramner of Atlanta; and her father, Gene A. Showker of Waynesboro.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Woody Funeral Home, 1771 Parham Road. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery.