MILDRED PATTERSON

ESSEX -- Mildred Patterson, 77, of Essex died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 1998, at her home.

She was born April 5, 1920, in Beebe, Ark., daughter of Thomas Cecil and Fannie Elizabeth Wicker Warthen. She and Orval Patterson were married July 16, 1941, at Bloomfield. He died Jan. 21, 1998.

Patterson had lived in Essex most of her life. She retired as a seamstress from Elder Manufacturing Co. in Dexter. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Dexter.

Survivors include five sons, Robert Patterson of Memphis, Tenn., Larry Patterson of Wichita, Kan., Wayne Patterson of Chaffee, Roger Patterson of Sikeston, Ron Patterson of Eureka; three daughters, Colleen Unger of Sikeston, Christine Ryman and Carolyn Hopkins of Dexter; two brothers, Edgar Warthen of Pontiac, Mich., Harold Warthen of Grove Springs; two sisters, May Hayes and Helen Eiceman of St. Louis; 22 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by five brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter from 5-8 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bob Wiggins officiating. Burial will be in Essex Cemetery.