Thelma Louise (Bennett) Patton

July 2, 1935 ~ July 5, 2024 (age 89)

Thelma Louise Patton, 89 years old, was born to Mildred Christine Stith-Bennett and Claude Bennett on July 2, 1935, in Corydon, Indiana.

Thelma was the matriarch of our family. A mother of four, one daughter, Thellisa, and three sons, Frederick, Jr., Dennis, Sr., and Perry. She was affectionately called Granny by family and many close friends. Thelma received credentials to become a Certified Laboratory Assistant in August of 1975. With this achievement, she was a loyal and dedicated worker for the South Bend Medical Foundation for over 30 years.

Thelma had an amazing love for God. Even when her illness kept her from entering the church house regularly, her love for God never changed. She would read her Bible at home, watch her favorite preachers on television and online. Granny also enjoyed watching hour after hour of QVC, and working on word search puzzles. These activities helped to keep her mind and spirit strong. As the strong woman she was, she always spoke her mind whether you liked what she had to say or not. Even still, Granny’s love for you never changed.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred Christine Stith-Bennett and Claude Bennett; two sisters: Alma Bennett and Lucy Pearl Bennett; three of her children, Thellisa Patton, Frederick Patton, Jr., and Dennis Patton, Sr.; one Grandchild: Michael Woods; and several Great Grandchildren, including: Shawki Henderson and Shareita Patton, Ivan Harvell, ShawnTae Dickerson, Ta’Sheika Dickerson, RoShonda Small, Ajurin Blake, Ozanne Harvell, Ladell and Lytrell Harvell, Damarion Miller.

Granny’s life is celebrated by her remaining family, including Sister, Leona Fleming; Son, Perry (Angela) Patton; Daughters-in-Law: Glenda Patton and Linda Moy;  many Grandchildren: Frederick (Chandra) Patton II, Anthony Patton, Sr., Fred Bell, Dennis Patton, Jr., Penny Iavagnilio, Barbara (Bryant) Patton-Smith, Leona Dickerson, Dameka Dickerson, Aisha (Dwayne) Avance, Chastity Patton, Monisha (De Von) Fuller, Lakeisha Alexander, Melaine (Guillermo) Adkins, Anita Patton, and Turquoise Patton.

Also celebrating the legacy of Granny Patton are a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, great grandchildren, friends, and many more loved ones.

Granny’s final words to us all in the form of a short poem:

Those we love don’t go away.

They walk beside us everyday.

Unseen, unheard, but always near.

So loved, so missed, so very dear

07/11/2024 EJS (Rest in Peace "General Patton", "Thelma-Belle"...it was a pleasure knowing you)