Mary Emma (Wallis) Patterson, 100, of Rockford passed away Sunday, January 15, 2017, in River Bluff Nursing Home. Born June 14, 1916, in Walnut Ridge, AR, the daughter of Minor and Sarah (DeRossett) Wallis. Married John Henry Patterson on July 10, 1937, in Walnut Ridge, AR. Moved to the Rockford area in December 1952, coming here from Pocahontas, AR. Employed by National Lock Company 24 years from 1952 to 1976. Member of Lincoln Wood Southern Baptist Church, Gold Star Mothers and the UAW local 449. Survivors include her children, John (Darlene) Patterson of Post Falls, Idaho, Athel (Louise) Patterson of Roscoe and Sarah Dobbs of Rockford; grandchildren, Dave (Cathy) Ward, Darlene (Jeffrey) Meads, Anthony (Susan) Patterson, Sheila Patterson, Brian (Paula) Patterson, Jeffery (Marilyn) Patterson, Julie Thomas, Jason (Krista) Patterson, Cherin (Kimo) Tetzlaff, Gina (Andy) Bomcamp and Kayla Dobbs; 26 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her husband, John on August 21, 1970; son, Wallis killed in action May 7, 1969; daughter, Beatrice Streeter on January 4, 1997; and grandson, Loren Dobbs on June 8, 2016. A special thank you to VNA Hospice and the staff at River Bluff Nursing Home - Eagle Wing. Visitation will be Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 11-12 pm at McNabb Funeral Home with a funeral service immediately following at 12 pm with James Coker officiating. Burial in Randolph Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers: Jim “JR” Gates, Amos Gates, Jimmy Gates, David Ward, Todd Griffin, and Anthony Patterson.