Libby Patterson
July 13, 1936 - March 17, 2022
Fort Worth, Texas - Frances Elisabeth "Libby" Smith Patterson was born to Howard and Gladys Smith July 13, 1936, in Yazoo City, Mississippi. She was a woman with a large heart but wasn't above mentioning a pet peeve. She had strong feelings about obituaries, and if the newly deceased was over 80, she found the well-worn phrase, "she was preceded in death by her parents," ridiculous. So we will not mention that Libby's parents have passed.
After graduating from Merigold High School, Libby attended Mississippi College where she did not always excel in the classroom. Her proudest academic achievement was the "D" that she received in Botany, which allowed her to graduate and take a teaching job in Pensacola, Florida. She and her roommates were so poor they twisted a wire coat hanger, hung it on the wall, and called it a modern rendering of the Golden Gate Bridge. When Libby was more financially secure, she gave to her alma mater with the stipulation that the money be given to a "C" student, who tried hard. Mississippi College's greatest gift to Libby were the life-long friends she made.
Libby married Donald Patterson in 1958 where he farmed in the Mississippi Delta. He was "Sweet Thang" to her "Mama Lib." Theirs was a marriage rooted in laughter, game nights, travelling misadventures, faith, and a deep belief in helping others. Libby fancied herself an adventurous cook, which led to the infamous Caramel Pie/Duck Feathers explosion, now memorialized in Garden and Gun magazine. Sunday afternoons most of Sunflower County could be found in their concrete pond or on the tennis court with Donald hand cranking homemade ice cream. Libby worked as a teacher, a newspaper editor, and later an administrative assistant at Mississippi College, which gave her children free tuition. Libby loved a bargain.
After Donald passed away, Libby moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where she became a mentor with Kid's Hope, was a Sunday School teacher to any group who would invite her to their Christmas party; she made the annual mission trip to UMCOR, and was eventually crowned Mrs. UMCOR, a title she proudly held for one year. Perhaps her most lasting legacy was a Sunday School class in Clinton, Mississippi, that re-named itself "Libby's Angels."
Libby is survived by: Fran Patterson, widow of deeply grieved son Allen, and their daughter Mary; Amy and Darrell Cooper and their daughters Lexie and Shelby; Jill and Mark Swarner and their sons Jake and Henry; Steven Patterson and his sons Dean and David. She's survived by her two sisters Mary Allen Willis (Frank) and Gwen Daves, widow of Danny Daves. When the sisters gathered, regardless of the season, they would break out their song and dance rendition of the Christmas song "Up on the Housetop." Some of Libby's fondest memories were breaking bread with her many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Libby gave generously to the Baptist Children's Village, Mississippi College, the Salvation Army, UMCOR, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, and any clothing or food pantry she happened across. The family would like to thank the Wesley House for the laughter, banter, coffee, and chocolates that made Libby's last months a blessing.
A celebration of life will be held at the Arborlawn United Methodist Church in Fort Worth, Saturday, March 26, at 2 pm.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by & from Mar. 23 to Mar. 26, 2022.