Meretta "Mickey" Patterson

November 20, 1937 ~ March 9, 2024
Born in:
Sulllivan, Missouri
Resided in:
Reston, Virginia
Meretta “Mickey” Patterson, age 86, of Reston, Virginia died peacefully on Saturday March 9, 2024, at home. She is survived by her beloved husband, Colonel (Retired) Raydean Patterson, sons Michael Patterson (Mary Jo Monahan), Reston VA and Jeffrey Patterson (Kristi Kerzie), Eatonville, WA.
Daughter of Maurice and Meretta Maze (deceased) of Columbia MO and sister of Norman Maze (Lois Walker), Lake Ozark, MO, and John Maze (deceased).
Mickey is survived by four grandchildren – Molly Patterson-Cutler, Des Moines, IA daughter of Michael and Mary Jo Patterson. Nicholas, Chloe, and Samuel Patterson, sons and daughter of Jeffrey and Kristi Patterson, Eatonville, WA. One great grandson Wilbur James Cutler, son of Molly and Scott Cutler.
Meretta was born and raised in Sullivan, MO. She was the Miss Mexico Missouri beauty queen in High School. Being called Dean, she attended Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield MO, where she was the Homecoming Queen and a member of the Alpha Delta Phi sorority. She met Raydean in college, and she became Mickey thereafter. They were married in 1956 at the First Baptist Church in Columbia MO. Once married she joined the life of a military spouse. She moved the family over 30 times in her husband’s 26-year Army career.
Their first tour was Orleans, France where Michael was born. Jeff was Born while Raydean was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. Mickey and the boys lived in El Paso, TX while Raydean was stationed in Vietnam for his first tour and the family lived in Honolulu, Hawaii during Raydean’s second Vietnam tour where Raydean was seriously wounded. Mickey was with Raydean every day as he convalesced for over a year in Tripler Hospital. Other places they lived include Washington DC, San Rafael CA, and Dothan AL. Their final post was Camp Smith MC in Hawaii.
Mickey’s family was everything to her. She was a loving and devoted mother to her two boys. She built a life of activities around them including school, horseback riding, hiking, reading, and sailing. There were many trips back to Missouri to visit relatives and she hosted family and visitors at their various homes throughout life. Mickey was full of faith and trust in the Lord as it was a part of our family life as long as we can remember. She had a beautiful singing voice and often sang in church choirs and volunteered at church functions. She collected and held a high belief in angels.
Once Raydean retired from the Army, Mickey became a residential realtor in Hawaii. She became so proficient at selling homes and managing other agents that she became the Head Broker at the Conley Dew company. Here she won many awards due to her high sales volume. While in Hawaii, their first grandchild, Molly, was born. Their last move was to Port Ludlow, WA where they lived for over 15 years. While here, three more grandchildren were born. Raydean and Mickey moved to Reston VA five years ago to be closer to Michael. At every post and home, Mickey made friends and helped enrich the lives of many people.
A Mass will be said at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston VA. The Family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Church and/or Caring For Military Families, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.
Services
Visitation: April 9, 2024 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
St. John Neumann Catholic Church
11900 Lawyers Road
Reston, VA 20191
703-860-8510
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America/New_York
2024-04-09 15:00:00
2024-04-09 04:00:00
Meretta "Mickey"PattersonVisitation
Visitation
11900 Lawyers Road,Reston, VA 20191
Mass of Christian Burial : April 9, 2024 4:00 pm
St. John Neumann Catholic Church
11900 Lawyers Road
Reston, VA 20191
703-860-8510
Add to My Calendar
America/New_York
2024-04-09 16:00:00
2024-04-09 16:00:00
Meretta "Mickey"PattersonMass of Christian Burial
Mass of Christian Burial
11900 Lawyers Road,Reston, VA 20191
Bob Gallagher
Funeral Director