Katie A. Patterson Booth

Mrs. Katie A. Patterson Booth was born in Gulfport on May 23, 1907, to Joseph and Ida (Coffee) Patterson.

She began her education in the first graduating class of Thirty-Third High School in 1929. Upon graduation, Mrs. Booth went to work for the Presbyterian Board of Education in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She then attended Philander Smith College, Little Rock, on an academic scholarship. It was in 1940 when she received her Basic Education Degree from Philander Smith.

As World War II approached, she moved to Chicago to work at Doehler-Jarvis Dye Casting Company. However, her quest for education did not stop there. She then enrolled in the Illinois Institute of Technology earning a degree in Industrial Chemistry. After receiving her Industrial Chemistry degree, Mrs. Booth began working for the Department of Pharmacology at the Chicago Medical School, doing research on preventative health measures, with her interests being in children's health, prenatal care and treatments for sickle cell anemia. During this time, few women were in the profession of chemistry, making Mrs. Booth a pioneer in her field. In 1970, Mrs. Booth retired from the chemistry profession. She continued her involvement in many civic organizations in her community. She served as chairperson for both the West Side YMCA and the board of Sears & Roebuck. She was also one of the first members of the Chicago Housing Board's West Side District. During the 1960s she worked with Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) and with other Civil Rights leaders, cautioning them not to splinter after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther's King. Mrs. Booth assisted in the voter registration drive that resulted in Harold Washington being elected the first black mayor of Chicago. She was a leader in the interdenominational organization, Church Women United. She believed that you have to meet people where they were, meet their needs and then to proceed to reposition them to their fullest potential. Mrs. Booth returned to Gulfport in 1985. She re-united with St. Mark United Methodist Church where she founded the "Fellowship House Ministry" feeding hundred's of homeless and needy persons in the Gulf Coast area. She also worked with the distribution of 3,000 Ð 5,000 pounds of clothes each year that were donated to them by the Church of Latter Day Saints. She felt a need to provide a safe haven for children in the Magnolia Grove community so she spearheaded a task to bring life to the Magnolia Grove Community Center. She along with Rev. Rose Mary Hayes Williams organized a summer day camp, "Camp, I Can Do" at St. Mark United Methodist Church. She also led in the community by providing children with a wholesome safe haven through the day camp experience, for the Magnolia Grove Community. It was in May, 2003, when the City of Gulfport renamed the community center, Katie Patterson Booth Community Center. She has worked with Gulfport Leisure Service, Board of Founders for Job Corps of America, Women in Community Service, National Brown Condos Association, Life Member of the National Council of Negro Women, member of Magnolia Grove Garden Club, Returnees Club, NAACP, Board of Founders of Bethune-Cookman College and the list of awards and activities is endless.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert L. Booth; six sisters, Louise Barnes Evans, Christina Evans, Helen Patterson, Thelma Patterson, Petty Patterson, Bee Evans; four brothers, Ashton Evans, Percy Evans, Jake Patterson, Spencer Evans.

Her survivors include two special nieces who cared for her, Laverne Ausmer, Opal Ausmer McOwens and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation: 6-8 p.m., Monday, September 4, 2006, Lockett-Williams Mortuary, Inc. Funeral: 11 AM, Tuesday, September 5, 2006, St. Mark United Methodist Church, Gulfport. Interment: Pine Ridge Gardens.