Patricia Ann Tidwell

September 10, 1944 ~ January 9, 2025

Patricia Tidwell, 80 of South Bend, IN passed away on January 9, 2025 at Memorial Hospital surround by loving family. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri to the union of Willie Tidwell Sr. and Willie Mae Harsh on September 10, 1944. She would later relocate to South Bend, IN where she would receive her formal education from South Bend Community School Corporation. She graduated from John Adams High School* in 1962. (See note below.)

Patricia had a natural gift for cooking and worked as a culinary chef for various kitchens in the area for many years. She enjoyed reading, sewing, cooking and had a passion for gardening. Patricia loved planting flowers around her house beautifying the neighborhood. She taught not only sewing and cooking to friends and family, but life lessons and memories. She was our very own Martha Stewart, sharing recipes, gardening tips, and sewing beautiful fabrics. She was known for showcasing her fashionable hats at family gatherings.  She gave us many laughable memories and helped raise many children besides her own. 

Our beloved mother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend leaves a legacy of loving family: Ethel (Harold) Tidwell Mayfield, Karen Tidwell Olson, Jewel Tidwell Thomas, all of South Bend, IN and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Reginia Y. Dent, brother Willie Thomas Tidwell Jr.  and Sister Earlie Mae Love.

Celebration of life in her honor will take place on Saturday January 18, 2025 at 11AM with a viewing one prior at Laymen Chapel CME Church 303 S. Kenmore St. with burial at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to www.boydandsonfuneralhome.com where condolences may be shared.  

Special thanks to Hospice and memorial Hospital staff for caring for Patricia. 

Service Saturday January 18, 2025 11AM 

Viewing 10AM 

Laymen Chapel CME Church 

Repass: Laymen Chapel CME 

*We were able to supply Mr. Boyd of Boyd and Son Funeral Home with Patricia’s senior picture from the Central High School 1962 yearbook. He shared it with Patricia’s family and included it in the program for her service held January 18, 2025. The family now agrees that she was a Central 1962 graduate but had attended Adams earlier. We will also include her in the Adams High School Class of 1962 because she attended Adams and had many friends in that class.

01/18/2025 djb

https://www.boydandsonfuneralhome.com/obituary/Patricia-Tidwell