Mrs. Thadis V. Patterson

Thadis Vivian Patterson was born September 6, 1936 to Ruby Eggleston and James Derdan in Boydell, AR. Later in life, Mother Ruby married James Rouse and he helped to raise Thadis as his own until his death. Thadis was the eldest of 9 children (10 children including Stanley who died shortly after birth). They lived in Boydell and Little Rock, AR until 1950 when she moved with her grandparents, John & Ada Eggleston in Chicago, IL while her parents and siblings moved to Milwaukee, WI. She received her primary education at Rose Hill Grade School in Dermott, AR and East End Grade School in Little Rock, AR. She received her High school education at Dunbar High School in Little Rock, AR, Lucy Flowers Girls School in Chicago, IL and graduated from Girls Tech High School in Milwaukee. She also received her associates degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Thadis accepted Christ as her Savior in 1952 and joined Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Shortly after, she joined Westside COGIC under the leadership of Elder Felix Lewis and later Elder Willie Hines, Sr. She also joined Mt. Moriah Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Kenneth A. Bowen and later Rev. Charles Thornhill. She served as the President of the Missionary Board, on the Mother's Board, as a Deaconess, as well as a Sunday School Teacher. She later moved her membership to Greater Mt. Sinai COGIC with Pastor Victor Davis where she served on the Mother's Board. She was united in holy matrimony to John H. Patterson on January 26th, 1954 in Milwaukee, WI. Their union was blessed with 9 children; Diane, verdia, Gerald, Bruce, Keith Giles, Vivian Kent and Kendra. She worked as an English teacher at Wells Middle School. She entered the political arena and ron for county supervisor in 1982 and was heavily involved in community affairs. She worked for Project Involved (Elderly Care) and finished her professional tenure with the City of Milwaukee, Housing Authority where she happily retired. She was good at many things and was dedicated to everything she put her hand to. She was a tremendous cook and loved to host her family and spend time with them; nothing made her smile wider than having all of her children at home with her. She learned that one of her callings was to take care of others. She took care of her Aunt Hazel from Chicago and many others. She loved to go fishing as a past time with her friends and family. She especially enjoyed when her grandson Mario, would bring her a cooler full of Blue Gills and Croppies. She shared a special relationship with her sibling James (Brother) and Uncle John-I (Johnny). She also had a special relationship with Elaine Williams, Delores Gordon and her best friend Nellie Harris. Thadis Vivian Patterson went home to be with the Lord peacefully on Saturday October 27th, 2012 at the age of 76. She was preceded in death by her husband John son Gerald, mother Ruby and brother Calvin. She leaves to cherish her memory one Uncle John Eggleston (Chicago, IL), four brothers James (Carol) Rouse, Bobby Rouse, Wesley (Catherine) Rouse, Rufus (Kimberly) Rouse all of Milwaukee, WI. Three sisters Ella Townsel, Ada Rouse and Uneta Rouse all of Milwaukee, WI. Eight children Diane (Sam) Sims of Birmingham AI, Verdia Wiley of Milwaukee, WI, Bruce Patterson of Atlanta, GA Keith Patterson of San Diego, CA, Giles (Dana) Patterson of Milwaukee, WI, Vivian Patterson of if aukee, WI, Kent (Tammy) Patterson of Atlanta, GA, Kendra (Craig) Noble of Milwaukee, WI. A special daugh er in-law, Sherise Patterson of Milwaukee, WI. Brother-in-taws Wornee (Cheryl) Patterson and Larnell Vann, Sistet-in-l ,Mattie Patterson. There are 16 grandchildren 7 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Mrs. Thadis V. Patterson

September 6, 1936 - October 27, 2012