Erma Josephine Patterson, 97, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 19, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin.  She had moved back to Fort Scott in October, after living in Atlanta, GA for the past fifty years.

Erma was born August 23, 1923 in Fort Scott to Everett and Opal Vanatta Esicks.  She attended schools in Ft. Scott and graduated high school during WWII.

She married William Byron Patterson “Pat” on May 22, 1949 in Fort Scott.  They later moved to Kansas City for a few years.  Pat was transferred to Des Moines, Chicago, and onto Atlanta with his job.

Erma retired from Alcoa Aluminum in Atlanta.  The couple were valued members of St. James United Methodist Church in Atlanta.

Preceding her in death were her husband Pat, her sister Marjorie Burch and husband Cliff, and her parents Opal and Everett Esicks.

Survivors include sister-in-law Janice Patterson, Fort Scott, nieces Susan Karleskint of Uniontown, KS and Mary and Brad Gregory of Springfield, MO.  Also surviving are six great nieces and nephews and seven great, great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for the family will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, January 25, 2021, at the Cheney Witt Chapel in Ft. Scott, with burial following at Fort Scott National Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to St. James United Methodist Church in Atlanta and may be mailed directly to the church at 4400 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd., Ne, Atlanta, GA 30342 or left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.