Barbara Anne Patterson

Born February 10, 1948, in Coffeyville, Kansas, Barbara was a graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Hattiesburg, Miss., before earning undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Southern Mississippi. Barbara was one of the first women accepted into the U.S. Postal Service’s managerial program, which provided opportunities for her to live and work around the country, including Birmingham, Ala.; Jackson, Miss.; Memphis, Tenn.; Bangor, Maine; Springfield, Mass.; Syracuse, N.Y.; Portland, Maine; and Columbus, Ohio. Barbara enjoyed her many job assignments, among them Postmaster for Maine, before taking an early retirement to pursue her passions of antiquing, quilting, gardening and reading. Barbara was a gentle soul with a special affection for animals, especially her cats.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, V.C. “Pat” Patterson and Ruth Finch Patterson.

She is survived by sisters: Katherine P. McGowan (Michael) of Madison, Miss., and Jennifer P. Quinn of Madison, Miss.; brother Stephen Finch Patterson (Anita) of Lehi, Utah; and nieces Sarah McGowan Dowling (Patrick) of Atlanta, Ga., and Mary Kate McGowan of Atlanta, Ga.

A graveside service will be held at Lakewood Memorial Park in Jackson, Miss., on Friday, September 15.

Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland, Miss., will handle the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be sent to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt. Hope Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401; or Webster Animal Shelter, 525 Post Oak Road, Madison, MS 39110.