Mary Talmadge Willis-Patterson

Mary was the 9th child of George Thomas and Hatti Virginia Willis. Seven of her siblings died at birth or close after. Mary was a twin. Her brother, born first, lived for 4 days and weighed only 3 lbs. at birth. Mary weighed only 1 lb. and the doctors told Hatti, Mary would only live for the next few days. Hatti refused to accept this and she took Mary home. She fed her with an eye dropper, fashioned diapers out of George’s handkerchiefs, and prepared a bed for her in the sock drawer of George’s dresser. Mary thrived surrounded by the love of parents and her older sister, Hazel Elizabeth, the 7th child. Mary lived for 94 years.

At the age of 19, she would convince her parents to give her their blessings as she ventured out to stake her claim in New York, New York where she would work for “Sterns”, a major retail establishment. Mary would fall in love and marry Gardner Dean Patterson Sr. (Pat) and to that union a son was born. With the birth of Dean Jr., Mary’s purpose for life was established.

Mary loved to laugh. Not the “ha-ha” type of laugh but the “side splitting—can’t catch your breath” laughing. Family would take turns getting her to that point. It really was not a difficult task.

Mary leaves to celebrate her faith filled 94 years on earth, her only child, Gardner Dean Patterson Jr. (Ernestine) – her grandsons, Aaron (Lyndsay), and Anthony – great grandson, Felix – her loving nephew, John (Sheryl) – grandnieces, Perri and Lauren – grandnephew, Steven – great-grandniece, Jacqualle, — great-grandnephews, Steven Jr. and Tremel – great-great-grandnephew, Terrance – and all whose lives were touched with her love and laughter.