Barbara Patterson's Obituary
Barbara Nan Patterson, age 86, passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully, at her home in Longview on Friday, December 20, 2019. Barbara was born on May 4th, 1933 in Luling, Texas, to Robert and Lula Smith. She graduated as valedictorian from Freer High School in South Texas, and attended Baylor University where she graduated in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree, majoring in Education and minoring in Music. Following her graduation, Barbara moved to Odessa to pursue a career in education, where she met Tom Patterson. Tom and Barbara married in June of 1956 and later adopted their two daughters, Holly and Kristy, 3 years apart.
Barbara taught elementary education in Ector County and retired after teaching for over 35 years in Odessa. One of Barbara’s favorite pastimes was serving in her church and singing in the choir; she told her daughters she had aspirations of being an opera singer before starting her teaching career. Barbara was a long time member at First Baptist Church of Odessa before retiring, moving to Longview, Texas, and joining Mobberly Baptist Church. She was actively involved in numerous ministries at Mobberly, including the church choir, the Widow-to-Widow group, women’s ministry, teaching ESL, leading the Precepts Bible Study, and leading a weekly service at the Hawkins Creek Nursing Home, just to name a few.
Barbara’s pride and joy was her family. She loved spending time with family, especially her four grandchildren, Austin, Abby, Cody and Bonnie. Barbara often commented on the fun times she experienced on family vacations. Barbara was as an avid football fan who loved to watch the Baylor Bears and the Longview Lobos football teams along with the Baylor Lady Bears basketball team. When Barbara was not volunteering in her church ministry, or spending time with family, she enjoyed reading, working puzzles, and spending time with her wonderful group of friends with whom she spent many fun hours, playing cards, games, and dining together.
The most important person and love of her life was her Lord Jesus Christ, whom she faithfully served each and every day. Barbara Patterson was a prayer warrior and spent every morning covering her children, grandchildren, friends and acquaintances in prayer. She was wonderful, selfless woman of God; full of love, joy, wisdom, and peace. She was beloved by all who knew her and she will be greatly missed. We celebrate Barbara’s life knowing she is resting in peace with her Lord and Savior.
Barbara was preceded in death by her mother and father, Lula Bell Kirkland Smith and Robert Archie Smith, her brother James Robert Smith, and her husband Thomas Vernon Patterson. She is survived by her daughters, Holly Forbes and her husband Scott, of Longview and Kristy Bonner and her husband Greg, of Coppell, along with her four grandchildren – Abby and Bonnie Forbes, and Austin and Cody Bonner, sister-in-law Rosemary Coleman Smith, and nephews Scott, Jamie and Chad Smith and their families, brother-in-law James Patterson and his wife Jean, nephew James Patterson and his family, niece Lisa Patterson, and cousin Jim White and his family.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2 pm on Friday December 27th at Mobberly Baptist Church, 625 E Loop 281, Longview, TX 75605.
In lieu of flowers the family requests consideration of a memorial contribution to one of Barbara’s favorite Charities: Mobberly Baptist Church, 625 E Loop 281, Longview, TX 75605, or Compassion International: Compassion International; Attn: Gift Planning Department – in memory of Barbara Patterson; 12290 Voyager Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
The below is information on how to donate to a fund we have set up in Barbara’s honor at Baylor’s School of Education. Notifications will go directly to the family when a donation is made.
https://www.baylor.edu/give/
Steps to take:
- For 'which unit' click it and drop it down to say School of Education
- For 'which fund' click it and drop it down to say School of Education Endowed Excellence Fund
- Choose a dollar figure for the gift amount and then click the green 'next' button
- Check the box for 'I'd like to make this gift in memory or tribute' and highlight 'memory' and type Barbara Patterson in the box that opens next
Also another opportunity is Compassion International at
https://www.compassion.com/donate/barbara-patterson.htm
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