Willie Marie Patton's Obituary
Willie Marie Patton, Apr. 3, 1919 - Mar. 12, 2011 at 11:10pm. On March 12, 2011, Willie Marie Patton peacefully left this world to be with her father in Heaven. Willie was a member of AME Methodist Church for over sixty-five years. She died of age-related causes at the age of 91. She was preceded in death by her husband James Patton Sr., her grandson Brian Livingston, stepdaughter Curtiss Goodson, and sister Mary Alice Shorter. She is survived by her son Joseph Patton, two stepsons, Lenzy Patton and James Patton, Jr. (Denver, CO), three daughters, Elaine Christopher, Geraldine Jones (Charles), and Debra Randolph (John), 21 grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved brother-in-law Rev. Roosevelt Shorter. Celebration of life will be in the Mountain View Valley Chapel on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 12:00pm. Viewing March 18, 2011 3:00pm - 9:00pm. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
Willie Marie Patton was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on April 3, 1919 to Bessie Nash and Reese Williams. She died peacefully of age related causes at the age of 91. Willie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jim, of over forty years, her grandson, Brian Livingston, her loving step-daughter, Curtis Goodson, and her sister, Mary Alice Shorter.
After graduating from high school, Willie attended Tuskegee Institute. She worked as a beautician to pay her way through college. In 1940 she met and married James Patton Sr. in Alabama. He was a widower with three small children. She immediately took on the roll of mother, homemaker and wife. In 1944, Jim got a job at the Tacoma Smelter and Willie moved with her family to Tacoma, Washington.
Still wanting to further her education, she enrolled at Knapp's Business College taking up bookkeeping. Willie resided in Tacoma for over sixty-five years, where she joined Allen AME Church in 1945. She was an avid seamstress and crocheted slippers for everyone in the family -" she would make them and then say you owed her six dollars. Early in her life she enjoyed horse racing and going to the track every weekend with her husband. Later she started playing Bingo. Willie was known for her homemade rolls -" the best in the West! Her loving and creative spirit (and don't forget her sense of humor) will be missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her son, Joseph Patten; two step-sons, Lenzy Patton and James Patton Jr.(Judy) from Denver, CO; daughters, Elaine Christopher, Debra Randolph (John), and Geraldine Jones (Charles); grandchildren, Carl Livingston Jr. (Evie), Monte Livingston, Gary Livingston, Anthony Livingston, Marquis Tucker (Michelle), James Anthony, April Williams (Ben), Kim Rodriguez, Brian, Hubert, Wolfram Patton, Dedra Magee, Denise Burrows, James Patton III, Renee Gresham, Roslind, Tressie, Kathy, Glenn, and Russell Goodson Jr.; brother-in-law, Rev. Roosevelt Shorter; and a host of great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
What’s your fondest memory of Willie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Willie?
Share a story where Willie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Willie you’ll never forget.
How did Willie make you smile?