Virginia Patterson of Farmington, passed into Heaven on August 9, 2024, at Parkland Hospital at the age of 88. She was born on May 11, 1936, in East St. Louis, Illinois to the late Grover and Ruby Arline (Cravens) Raymer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Louie Francis Patterson in 1973; two brothers, Jerry Raymer and Grover Raymer and a sister, Violet Leslie.
Virginia grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois and at a young age, she began working in the Actuarial Department in St. Louis. When she was 29 years old, she was working as a waitress in a restaurant where she would meet her future husband, Louie "Pat” Patterson. They were married on September 22, 1965, in Centerville, Illinois. In 1969 the Pattersons relocated to Knob Lick, Missouri where they purchased a farm. Virginia loved arts and crafts and scrapbooking. She was a woman of faith and a member of the Christian Life Church in Farmington. In the late 70’s and early 80’s she enjoyed working at the Plummer Family Theatre in Branson. She was a wonderful cook who specialized in good home “cookin”.
Virginia always said that her daughters were her greatest accomplishment, and she loved her family more than life itself. She adored her grandchildren and loved spending every minute she could with them. She took them camping, on trips to Branson, shopping, had them over to stay the night on the weekends, and always took them to church to learn about our Lord and Savior. The most important thing in her life was knowing that God loves her and saved her from her sins.
Virginia left a written message to her family: "My main wish in life is that my whole family would be saved and love the Lord as much as I did. I want all of you to know I love you very very much and I cherished all the holidays and outings we shared."
Survivors include her daughters, Patricia (Phillip) Cook of Bonne Terre and Julie (Michael) Ryan of Farmington; eight grandchildren, Todd Patterson, Derek Alexander, Devon Burton, Aleasia Arnold, Peyton Ryan, Phillip Cook III, Destiney Cook and Mark Evans; four great-grandchildren and a sister, Freda (Sonny) Amos of Collinsville, Illinois.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Cozean Memorial Chapel beginning at 11 a.m. until the funeral service at 1 p.m. with Pastor Daryl Rhodes officiating. Interment will immediately follow the funeral service at Knob Lick Cemetery. Memorials, if desired, may be made in the care of the funeral home to Farmington Pet Adoption Center. View the tribute video and share your condolences at cozeanfuneralhome.com.
