If you’re about to throw away plastic baggies or utensils, stop. They can be washed and reused for eternity! You cannot have a Patterson Christmas without matching holiday aprons and if you need to say a curse word, it needs to be under your breath so those around you aren’t sure what they heard. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Maxine Patterson during her 92 years before departing this earth on January 7th, 2025. Maxine Yvonne Patterson was born on April 1, 1933 to Samuel and Mercedes Walls in Liberty, Missouri. She was raised with two sisters, Mona Belle Jackson and Clarissa Allen, and a brother, Donald Shepard. She enjoyed the love of a massive family throughout her life.
Maxine grew up and attended the Garrison School in Liberty before moving to Topeka to attend KTI Vocational School. She studied to be a barber but found a long career in the bookkeeping department at Commerce Bank and Trust (now known as Core First) where she worked until retirement.
Maxine married Melvin Glenn Patterson, Sr. in Topeka in 1953 and enjoyed 67 years of marriage before his passing in 2020. Together they loved and raised four children – Vickie Diane Sudduth (passed in 2023), Valerie Jo Patterson of Topeka, KS, Lori Ann Patterson (passed in 2016) and Melvin Glenn Patterson Jr. (Tami) of Avondale, AZ. They were adored by their four grandchildren-Courtney Starnes (Corey) of Lenexa KS., Chelsey Sudduth of Olathe, KS., Simone Patterson of Duluth GA., and Makenzi Patterson of Avondale, AZ. She later enjoyed three great grandchildren, Sebastian Starnes, Camyrn Starnes and Christian Starnes.
Maxine will be lovingly remembered by her remaining sister, Mona Belle Jackson (Carl) of Greenwood, MO, and a large group of cousins, nieces and nephews in the Liberty and Kansas City, MO areas: Walter Wills, Judy Jones (Ronnie), Ruth Stricklin (Kermit), Sherri Allen, Terri Allen, Richard Allen, Donald Allen (Cynthia), Stuart Allen (Cynthia), John Allen, Robert Allen (Marie), Vivian Houston-Banks, Kimberly Houston-Thurston, Kent Houston, Keith Houston, Kevin Houston (Adrian) and Kyle Houston. The Springfield, MO family includes Harold Patterson Jr. (Linnie), Jackie Patterson, Delores Smith, Rev. Missy Smith, Gary Smith, Maurice Smith and Vernon Smith.
In conclusion, Maxine’s family would like to thank all our friends and acquaintances for their condolences and continued prayers.
