Mary Louise Patterson was born to Annie Mary (McPherson) and Quinters Dixon on November 4, 1944 in Memphis, Tennessee. She was the youngest daughter born of this union following sisters Quinters Jean and Rose. As the baby of the family, Mary was always cared for and protected by her older siblings. When she was young, the Dixon family moved to Ohio where Mary lived out the rest of her life. She went home to be with the Lord on October 19, 2021, just shy of her 77th birthday.

As a devoted servant of God with unwavering faith, Mary dedicated her life to the church. A member of First Church of God for many years, she eventually moved to Cornerstone Church where she served as a nursery worker and freely volunteered her time for whatever was needed. She loved life and family more than anything. Growing up “out Stickney”, Mary went to Spring Elementary School and then for a short time, attended Woodward High School where she met her husband, John Patterson. They married at an early age just before the birth of their first child. Their marriage of 18 years produced three wonderful children, John David Jr., Gregory Alan and their only daughter Tracie Lynn Margaret.

Mary worked as a cashier at Food Town for 25+ years before retiring in 2001. For many years she was an avid bowler, who loved traveling, dancing, listening to Motown and spending time with family and friends. What Mary might be best known for was her love for football. Over the years she hosted tons of Superbowl parties for family and friends, especially her brothers, and was often the “loudest” cheerleader in the room. Football played an important role in her life until her dying day. Her love for the game was greatly influenced by her husband and brothers. Following in the footsteps of her two sisters, Mary enjoyed cooking and family holidays. You rarely saw Mary without a smile, and she will be remembered as a sweet, kind, and loving woman who wore her heart on a her sleeve and never knew the meaning of “NO”.

Mary endured a long fought battle with CLL, a form of Leukemia, and toward the end struggled with a rare disease that eventually took her life. She always remained strong and positive, trusted in the Lord, and often talked about how happy she would be to see those that had passed before her. She always spoke highly of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and was so proud of their accomplishments. She was a great wife, mother, sister, grandmother and aunt.

Left to cherish her memories are daughter Tracie Graham, son Gregory Patterson, half-brother Robert (Marcella) Brown, God-daughter Heather DeSarro, sister-in-law Jesse Dixon, Reba Young, Shirley Gregory, Elaine Patterson, brothers-in-law: Charles Cohen and Morten Patterson, grandchildren: Michelle, Danielle (Brandon) Gist, Candice, Simone, Olivia and Landon; great- grandchildren: Destiny, DaKoda, Dallas, and many nieces, nephews and loving friends and family members. Mary was preceded in death by her mother Annie Mary, father Quinters, son John David Patterson, brothers Clarence, Harold, Samuel, I.G., sisters Quinters Jean and Rose and other relatives and friends.