Beulah Lee Patterson passed away peacefully on June 5, 2018, at the age of 84. She was born in Manchester, Tennessee on January 29, 1934. She is preceded in death by her husband of 53 years Bill; her father Charlie Jones; her mother Arvilla; her brother Herman and sisters Katherine, Deane, and Lourene. She is survived by her four children Steven Salles, Sheila Barone, Julie (Richard) MacKenzie, and Robert (Melissa) Patterson. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friends.
Bea served as assistant treasurer for Merced County for 37 years. In the past few years, she enjoyed volunteering weekly at the Merced Library in its used bookstore. That is where she rediscovered her passion for reading. Bea loved spending time with her family, especially playing cards. She enjoyed golf and traveling to various places around the world and meeting new and interesting people.
She spent her early years on a farm in Tennessee, but when her brother Herman went into the service, the family uprooted and moved to Merced. Bea was nine years old at the time.
Most who know her say she was devoted to her family. They came first above all else, and she taught each one of her children the value of honesty, love and compassion to all whom they would meet. They learned it because she lived it. She was always fair, but no-nonsense. She spoke her mind, but never out of anger or hatred. She demanded respect and led by example. She loved to laugh and did so often. She was genuine and tender-hearted. People loved to be around her; she will be so greatly missed.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, June 18th, at 11:00 a.m. at the Merced Elks Lodge, 1910 M Street, Merced, California.
