Beverly Ann Patterson

Beverly Ann Smith Patterson, 92, left her earthly body and was taken by her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on April 29, 2023 to live with Him in Heaven for eternity. She was born on October 14, 1930 in Lawson, Arkansas to Thomas Roland and Ruth Eva Lynn Gibson Smith. She was the second of six children. During high school, Mrs. Patterson was a star basketball player and was the team captain. She was also repeatedly voted "Most Popular Girl" by her classmates. After graduation from high school, she attended Warner Brown Nursing School in El Dorado, Arkansas. Her working life consisted of time with The Arkansas State Highway Department in Little Rock, Arkansas, Arkansas Motor Freight (now Arkansas Best) in Fort Smith, and as a nurse in Hot Springs, Arkansas. However, her favorite job was as wife and mother. Mrs Patterson married the love of her life, Johnny Wayne "Mickey" Patterson on December 15, 1951. They were happily married until his death in October of 1999. Due to Mr. Patterson's career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company (now AT&T), they lived all over Arkansas until they were transferred one last time, in 1974, back to Fort Smith. The Pattersons were long time members of Fort Smith First Baptist Church where Mrs. Patterson, for many years, taught a children's Sunday School class. Upon moving to the Rye Hill area, they moved their membership to Rye Hill Baptist Church. Teaching the Bible was one of her passions, and Mrs. Patterson taught the Senior Adult Ladies' class for many years. It was also at Rye Hill Baptist that she first began to sing solos in church. Her lovely alto voice was much loved by the congregation. In her eighties, she began painting. This brought her much joy. Her family and friends were the recipients of her work. Mrs. Patterson is survived by her daughter, Terry Lynn Patterson Weisenfels of Fort Smith and her son, Clifford Wayne Patterson and wife Harla Jeanne Hawkins Patterson of Murphy, Texas. She is also survived by her granddaughter Becky Morris and children Alistair, Culain, and Eowyn of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; her granddaughter, Cara Elizabeth Patterson Maschler, husband Brian, and children Van and Arlo of Dripping Springs, Texas; her grandson, Nicholas Weisenfels and Lauren Peck Weisenfels of Oklahoma City; and her grandson John Harlan Patterson, wife Jennifer Maikowski Patterson, and son Aiden of Colorado. She is also survived by one sister, Elizabeth Diane Bubbas of Little Rock, Arkansas and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral arrangements are with Edwards Funeral Home.
A visitation for Beverly will be 5:00 - 7:00 pm Tuesday May 9, 2023, the service will be 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at Rye Hill Baptist Church in Fort Smith. Interment will be at Barling Cemetery in Barling, Arkansas. Pallbearers will be Ricky Smith, Martin Smith, Dale Patterson, Tommy Franks, Mark Alvarez, and Skip McKinstry. Memorial contributions may be made to Rye Hill Baptist Church Missions, 11501 U.S. Hwy 71, Fort Smith, AR 72916 or go to www.ryehillbc.org.