ALTON

Mary L. Patterson, age 71, received eternal rest at 8:40 a.m. on January 16, 2013, at home with her family at her side.

She was born on December 6, 1941, in Alton, Ill. to the late Wilbert D. Davis and Ethel Mae (Winston) Davis. She was united in Holy Matrimony to Albert Patterson Sr., on July 2, 1960. He preceded her in death. To this union three children were born.

Mary was baptized at an early age at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late E.M. Nelson. She graduated from Alton Senior High in 1960. Mary or "Sis" as she was commonly called, was very active in her churches as a choir member, Sunday school teacher and a deaconess. She had various jobs including a cap inspector at Olin Corporation, bank teller at the Bank of Alton, Home Federal Savings and Loan and retail at Famous Barr. Sis loved to knit and always made family and friends sweaters, blankets and scarves. She was always active with her children playing basketball, tennis, and volleyball, taking walks and softball on Sunday afternoons with family and friends at the Lovejoy schoolyard and in the empty lot next door to her home. People would ride past and yell, "can we play?" By the evening we had a lot full of family and friends enjoying the game.

She is survived by one daughter, Rhonda Patterson of Alton; two sons, Albert Patterson Jr. of Peachtree City, Atlanta and Marcus (Lolly) Patterson of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; one brother, Wilbert Davis Jr. of Bloomington, Ill., two sister, Joan (Rev. Stanley) Henderson and Zelma Davis both of Alton; five grandchildren, Brandon, Nakita, Shardey, Shanelle, and Victoria Patterson; eight great-grandchildren; several godchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, Vincent L. Davis Sr.

Visitation was from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013, at Cathy M. Williams and Sons Funeral Home in Alton.

Visitation to continue from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Harvest Christian Fellowship Church with Rev. Gino A. Austin to officiate. Burial: Upper Alton Cemetery.

Condolences and guestbook at www.cmwilliamsfh.com