She was born on January 11th, 1932 at General Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born to Annie Elizabeth (McGinnis) McBee and James McBee. They were united in marriage
and to this union Hortense was born, Hortense McBee. She was reared by her uncle, William R. McGinnis and his wife Alberta.
Her formal education was in Kansas City: W.W. Yates, Wendell Phillips, R.T. Coles and Lincoln High. She was married November 2nd 1947 to Vernon Alfred Patterson. They were united in marriage at the home of the bride; 2412 East 27th Street by the Rev. A.B. Simmons of Morning Star Baptist Church of which Hortense was a member.
Her work in employment was as a secretary of the local NAACP, Board of Election, Burns Security, MO-KAN and The Jackson County Department of Correction. She united (joined) the Metropolitan Spiritual Church under Rev. William Hurse. There she served on various boards of the church.
There was one child born to this union, Vernon A. Patterson, Jr., May 10th 1948.
Her husband Vernon, preceded her in death on June 30th 1997.
Hortense leaves behind her son Vernon, Jr. and his wife Pamela Patterson, her granddaughter Alisha Robinson & her husband Jason Robinson, her grandson Matthew Patterson and his wife Ebony Patterson. She also leaves behind three wonderful great-grandchildren, Tamar Robinson, Kennedy Patterson and Savannah Elizabeth Patterson.
A Visitation will be held from 2:00pm to 3:00pm on Friday, May 25th at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. This will be followed by a funeral service at 3:00pm. Interment will follow in Mount Moriah Cemetery South.