Derlene Davis Patterson passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, at the age of 89. She was cared for by Caris Hospice at NHC in Columbia, S.C., as her Alzheimer’s advanced. A Visitation will be held from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2020 at Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home in Clarksdale. Graveside services are at 10 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2020 aat Memorial Gardens.
Born on July 19,1930, in Pontotoc County, she was the daughter of the late Rufus R. and Lila Strube Davis. She was married to the late Robert J. Patterson, Jr. for 49 years. Mrs. Patterson was employed by Southern Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator for 10 years.
As an active member of Oakhurst Baptist Church, she was a member of the Lydia Sunday School class and served as the Care and Service member who checked on the sick, sent greeting cards and delivered food to families. She also was a member of the Rolling Along Club and a Vacation Bible School teacher. She was strong in her faith to God and a Christian example to all who knew her.
The love of her family and friends was most important to her. She loved baking, visiting friends, welcoming people into her home, camping with her husband and visiting her grandchildren.
Surviving are her daughters, Dianne Patterson Hillman and Vanessa Patterson Branch (Daniel) Both of Columbia, S.C. She was blessed with four grandchildren: Robin Bounds Sullivan (Rob), of Baton Rouge, La.; Amy Bounds Robinson (Dustin), of Waxahachie, Texas; Christopher Branch of Columbia, S.C.; and Amber Branch of Madison, Ind. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Dax and Scout Robinson and Braden Sullivan. She leaves her sister Sherlene Davis Inman of Knoxville, Tenn. along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister Earlene Davis Sims in 2019 and her nephew Kenny Sims.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Alzheimer’s Association.
