Dorothy M. Patton

Dorothy Mae Patton of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away in IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on Friday August 20, 2021 at the age of 99 years 335 days. She lived 28 days short of September 18, 2021 which would have been her 100th birthday.

Dorothy was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on September 18, 1921. Her parents were William James Barnett and Bertha Lee Barnett. She is the child of a bi-racial marriage. She attended school in Indianapolis. She married Abram Patton on July 13, 1940 and they were married for 51 years. He proceeded her in death in March of 1992. She will be laid to rest beside him here at Crown Hill Cemetery. She had one brother, James Leo Barnett and one sister named Marie who was born and only lived three days.

Dorothy confessed her hope in Christ as a young child and was a life long member of South Calvary Baptist Church and attended regularly until her health failed. She served on the South Calvary Education Committee. She was a member of the Missionary Circle and served on the Kitchen Committee. Dorothy’s ties to South Calvary reach back through multiple generations as she is part of one of the families that grew the church from its adolescence. She loved her church and would often say that South Calvary is the only church she will ever belong to. And she was true her word.

Dorothy loved to work word search puzzles. And she was very good at finding all the words in the puzzle. But her passion in life was her sewing. She was a proficient seamstress and created fashion items of every kind. But the beautiful and interesting thing about this is how she learned to sew.

Dorothy’s Paternal Grandmother was named Mariah Barnett. Mariah was born as a slave and continued as such until the age of 12. It was at this age that Mariah lost her right hand and wrist in a cotton gin accident. She was then sold as a breeder slave. Mariah later received her freedom and eventually gave birth to her son William James Barnett who became Dorothy’s father. When Dorothy was about five or six years old, her Grandmother Mariah began teaching her how to sew. Mariah would hold the cloth tight against her right side with the nub of her right hand and make stitches with her left hand. She made dresses and other clothing items for Dorothy and taught Dorothy how to sew and Dorothy began making clothes for herself.

Down through the years Dorothy was able to get an old foot peddle sewing machine and began perfecting her craft as seamstress. And perfect it she did. Dorothy became a professional seamstress making beautiful clothes of all kind and beautiful dresses for her daughter Patty as she grew up. She would make mother / daughter identical dresses for her and Patty to wear for Easter and other special occasions. She also worked at Fit Rite Cap Company for many years as lead seamstress. Dorothy was an impeccable, detail oriented seamstress. She was a perfectionist when it came to her sewing.

She was also a very good cook, making wonderful pies and cakes and was famous for her family favorite chicken pie and homemade chow chow.

Dorothy leaves a loving family to mourn her passing and to celebrate and honor her life. She loved her family and would light up when Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great Great Grandchildren would come to visit.

She is survived by one daughter: Pat Johnson (Patty). She leaves three Grandchildren: William A Wellington, Sr (wife Darlene), Michael D Wellington, Sr (wife Debbie) and Felecia (Kitten) Wellington. She leaves ten Great Grandchildren: William A Jr, Tony Faye, Janay, William, Michael D Jr (wife Andria), Mychel, Tyrone, Koketta, Michael A (wife Christique) and Erik’ka Lynn. She leaves 18 Great Great Grandchildren: Billie, Ayce, Kevion, Chozley, Noah, Adonis, Reign, Leah, Michael D III, Shayla, Jahleel, London, Bryan, Brooklyn, Tyrone, Adrian, Cali and Dakota