Virginia Patterson

It is with great sadness that the family of Virginia Lee Patterson announces her passing, after a brief illness, on January 17th, 2018 at the age of 93. Born in Rector, Arkansas on September 6th, 1924, she soon moved with her family to ST Louis, Missouri. She returned to Springfield, Arkansas at age 8 where she graduated from Morrilton High School. While attending school she met her beloved husband of 53 years Tommy Patterson in 1942. Tommy soon left for the Air Force where he served until 1946. While Tommy was away Virginia contributed to the war effort at home. She worked in a weapons manufacturing plant where she performed the final inspection of M-1 rifles before they were shipped overseas to the troops. She also played a part in an obscure chapter of World War II by working in a facility that produced combat gliders, America's first military stealth aircraft. In 1947 Virginia and Tommy moved to Morenci, Arizona where she worked for 26 years for Phelps Dodge. They both retired from the company in 1985 and moved to Thatcher, Arizona. Virginia remained quite active during her retirement. She gave back to her community through volunteer work including working as an ombudsman for a local nursing home. She also served as a clerk on the Bishop's committee at All Saints Episcopal Church. Virginia was a voracious reader and lover of books of all genres and loved discussing her most recent read. Her other hobbies included quilting, needlework and spending time on her computer. She was always up to date and eager to discuss current events. The hobby she was most passionate about was creating custom greeting cards for friends and family. She also sent greeting cards on the behalf of her church to members on their birthdays and anniversaries. Virginia is survived by daughter Virginia Boling (Dusty) and her husband Charles, granddaughter Natalie Morales and her husband Chris, grandson Charlie Boling and his wife Michelle. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Isaac, Darren, Jordan, Dylan, Presley, Jude and great-great-granddaughter Alessia Boling. Services will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Safford on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. with interment in the Safford Cemetery following services. Virginia expressed prior to her passing that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to All Saints Episcopal Church to be used for their community outreach programs.