FORT WORTH – Lila Mathews Patterson passed away Thursday, January 14, 2021, at the age of 92 from complications related to Covid-19. She was born on November 15, 1928, to Bernard and Jessie Mathews in Jacksonville, TX, and was the eldest of five children.
Following her graduation with a Bachelor’s degree in English from Texas Tech University, Lila married James N. Patterson, Jr. Their life of adventure began almost immediately when they set out for Boston for Jim to undertake graduate work at MIT. Until just a few years before Jim’s passing in 2014, Jim and Lila traveled extensively, travelling throughout the United States and visiting all seven continents. They took their children on many wonderful family vacations and snow skiing adventures. Jim and Lila took each of their seven grandchildren on week-long trips when each child turned nine years old. They were devoted to and loved by their children and grandchildren. Jim and Lila were faithful members of Meadowbrook-Poly United Methodist Church for over 60 years.
Lila and Jim enjoyed life together and also partnered in helping others and supporting their community, particularly the United Way, Meadowbrook Methodist Church and Ft. Worth’s art museums. Lila was an active member of the United Methodist Women, serving in multiple leadership roles, and volunteered at Harris Hospital and in the Meadowbrook church office for years.
Lila was an artistic person in all that she did and gave many of her creations to her family and her church. She loved music and enjoyed being in the church bell choir. She was a prolific seamstress, sewing matching outfits for her grandchildren and enjoying all forms of needlework. When grandchildren visited she always had a special craft ready to enjoy with them. She also loved flower arranging and other artistic pursuits. She provided fresh flower arrangements for her Sunday School class every Sunday for many years, and always made sure a special meal was accompanied by a creative center piece. Lila always enjoyed strolling through the Kimbell Art Museum collection with a stop for lunch in the café.
Lila was a wonderful example of aging gracefully. She never complained and faced the challenges of old age with a cheerful spirit. She regularly expressed gratitude to people who helped her. She loved and was loved.
Lila was preceded in death by her husband Jim, three of her siblings and her granddaughter Kati. Survivors: Her sister Ginna Mashburn; three children: Deb McGuire and husband, Michael, of Columbus, OH; Jim Patterson and wife, Beth, of Houston; and Jana Nelson and husband, Paul, of Monroe, LA; six grandchildren, Meg, Lauren, Emily, Donna, Melissa, and Aaron, their spouses, five great-grandchildren, Graceyn, James, Lucas, Eric, and Joseph, and many nieces and nephews.
Deb, Jim, and Jana express deep gratitude to her compassionate caregivers at Lakewood, Tina McCoy, Jamie Campbell, Reina Mata, and Karina Lopez, and to her physician Dr. Roger Eppstein.
We will gather to celebrate the life of Lila at 2:00 pm Saturday, July 10 at Meadowbrook-Poly United Methodist Church. Reception to greet friends and family will follow.
Memorials can be sent to Meadowbrook-Poly United Methodist Church.
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