Winona Patterson

She married Albert C. Patterson in Waco, TX. February 13, 1943. She attended Smithwick Church of Christ during her young life in Smithwick and then again upon returning to Smithwick from San Diego, California in 1973. She was baptized as a child in the Colorado River by whomever was the minister of Smithwick Church of Christ at that time.

Upon graduating from Marble Falls High School, Winona attended the Civil Service Training to do her part in the war effort. She moved to Waco, Texas in 1943 at the age of 18. She worked at the Waco Army Air Field as a rivetor on the production of aircraft. It was in Waco that she met her husband Albert (Pat) Patterson of the United States Air Force. They married after knowing each other only seven days. They had been married 57 years at the time of his death.

Prior to her husband’s orders to ship out to Okinawa, Winona gave birth to their first two daughters, twins Jean and Jane, while stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. After Albert returned home at the end of the war, their third daughter, Carol Ann, was born.

The family moved to Colorado where Winona and Albert owned and operated a furniture store. In 1959, the family moved to San Diego, California. Winona had a career as Personnel Manager for F.W. Woolworth Company during her years in San Diego. In 1973 they returned to Texas, specifically to the ranch where she was born and raised in Smithwick. Winona was a very loving and compassionate person and her family was of utmost importance to her.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Albert C. Patterson, great granddaughter, Jamie LeAnne Mowrey, brothers, Jesse DeSpain and Billy DeSpain and sisters Letisha Ann DeSpain and Bessie Laake.

Winona is survived by three daughters, Jean Hill of Smithwick TX, Jane Hicks of Marble Falls, TX and Carol Stine and husband Scott of Horseshoe Bay, TX, eight grandchildren: Christy Mowrey and husband Mike, Susan Sotkovski and husband Robert, Traci Thomas and husband Gary, Carla Schafer and Zach Stine, Lori Boleyn, Tommy Hill, Angie Lueckemeyer and husband Layne ,eleven great grandchildren: Matthew Mowrey, Curtis Sotkovski and wife Nikki, Luke Sotkovski, Shea Lynn Thomas, Amanda Thomas, Ashley Bible, Jaylan Bible, Justin Boleyn, Amber Boleyn, Megan Hill and Whitney Hill, and two great- great grandchildren, Jaxon and Madox Sotkovski. She is also survived by her brother George DeSpain and sister Margie DeSpain.

Serving as pallbearers are Gary Thomas, Layne Lueckemeyer, Mike Mowrey, Robert Sotkovski, Tommy Hill, Matthew Mowrey, Curtis Sotkovski and Luke Sotkovski.

Funeral service will be Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 2:00pm at Smithwick Church of Christ with Bro.Linvel Baker officiating. Interment will follow at the Smithwick Cemetery.