Obituary of Lois Patterson

Family graveside services for Lois Birdwell Patterson, 94, Tyler will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 7. Burial will be in Bradford Cemetery under direction of Cottle Funeral Home. Mrs. Patterson died Thursday, March 5, 2009 in a Tyler hospital. She was born May 27, 1914 to the late William H. Birdwell and Fannie Ward Birdwell. She was the youngest of four children. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, William Ward Birdwell and Winston Downs Birdwell, and her sister, Rosalie Birdwell. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Aubrey (Pat) Patterson of El Paso. Lois was a descendant of William Smith Walker and Amy Wilborn Walker, founding charter members of First Baptist Church, Tyler who are buried in the historic Oakwood Cemetery, Tyler. Her uncle was Dr. A. W. Birdwell, former school superintendent in Tyler, whom Birdwell Elementary School is named for and who was the first President of Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches. Lois grew up and graduated from Troup High School. While attending college at SFA, Lois and her sister, Rosalie, lived on campus in the President's home with Dr. and Mrs. Birdwell. Lois graduated from SFA in 1934 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She taught school in Kilgore, Houston, and El Paso before retiring from teaching. She and her husband were avid rock hounds and spent many memorable times camping in Colorado, New Mexico and West Texas. She moved back to East Texas from El Paso in 1988 following the death of her husband and was a resident of Atria Willow Park Retirement Home, Tyler. She enjoyed many friendship's there and enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, playing bridge and other games. Lois is survived by a niece, Linda Birdwell Bice and her husband Chuck Bice of Lake Palestine, a great niece, Holli Atkinson and her husband Jerry Atkinson of The Woodlands, and a great-great nephew, Grant Atkinson of The Woodlands. She is also survived by a niece, Suzanne Birdwell Aldridge of Irving and a nephew, Bobby Birdwell of Fort Worth. Lois was a sweet, intelligent and genuine lady and had a gentle spirit that will be dearly missed by her family and friends. The family would like to thank Dr. Drew Wyrick and Dr. Gene Earl for their compassionate care, along with the nursing staff of ETMC and the staff of Atria Willow Park. Memorials for Lois Birdwell Patterson can be made to Stephen F. Austin State University by contacting the SFA ALUMNI Association at P.O. Box 6096-SFA Station, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962; (800) 765-1534 or (936) 468-3407, or online through their web site at www.sfaalumni.com