SERVICES HELD FOR "AUNT OAT" PIONEER RESIDENT

Funeral services for Miss Lennie Leeoatnie Patterson, fondly known in this community as Aunt Oat, were held Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 4, at the First Baptist Church, Dr. Fred White, pastor, and the Rev. Stanley Williams, pastor of the Colleyville Baptist Church, officiating.

Familiar worship hymns, requested by Aunt Oat, were presented by Mrs. Marvin Loving, organist, and the Sumner sisters, Carolyn, Susie, and Patty, vocalists.

Interment was in Farmers Branch Cemetery (Keenan Cemetery) with Rhoton-Weiland-Merritt Funeral Home in charge. Pallbearers were Wallace Morris, Richmond Cook, Weldon Taylor, J. B. Lesley, M. R. Lesley, M. C. Kirkham, Arthur Good, Frank McMillen, M. S. Roach and Roy Posey. Ushers were Darrell Myers, Ray Owens, Woody Thomas, Abe Godfrey and Kent Adair.

Survivors include a sister, Mrs. Molly Sullens, Colleyville; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Bob Patterson; a niece, Miss Ollivene Patterson; and four nephews, J. W. and Ted McCoy, D. A. Sullens of Holiday, and Pat Miller of Gunter. Aunt Oat had made her home with the Bob Pattersons for many years.

Aunt Oat was born in Tennessee, but had lived in Texas 71 years, 43 of which were in Carrollton, where she was beloved for unselfish service to her church, community, and schools.

Some of the cherished memories of Aunt Oat were voiced during her short illness. There were those who recalled her love for singing the old revival hymns in church. One "old-timer" said,  "When Oat sang out in that clear, strong voice which filled the sanctuary, there was no need for the preacher to deliver his sermon." A charter member of the local Lions Club remarked that it was Aunt Oat's famous biscuits that nourished that organization in its infancy. He concluded "The club might have survived without those biscuits, but it would have been mighty puny."

She was practically a member of the Carrollton High School graduating class of 1929. Though she was responsible for the management of the family farm north of town, every morning and afternoon she drove her familiar old Ford into town (and few women were driving then) to pick up a car-full of girls and carry them to and from school. Often there were extra trips, too - slumber parties, picnics, ball games, but Aunt Oat was always there ! Undoubtedly it was her biscuits again which provided the physical fortitude for six of the nine graduates to become school teachers !

Aunt Oat did not preach her religion; she lived it in her many services to others.

In her memory friends of Aunt Oat are installing outside chimes at the First Baptist Church. For those who would like to have a part in this tribute to her, memorial gifts are being received by Mrs. Virginia Owens in the church office.

The Carrollton Chronicle - Thursday, September 12, 1963
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

CARROLLTON, Texas - Funeral services for Miss Lennie Leeoatnie Patterson of 1814 Walnut, Carrollton resident for the last 43 years, will be held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the First Baptist Church in Farmers Branch Cemetery.
Miss Patterson, a native of Tennessee, died in Dallas Monday. A Texas resident for 71 years, she was a Sunday school teacher and long-time member of the First Baptist Church.
She is survived by a sister, Mrs. Mollie Sullens of Colleyville, Tarrant County.

Dallas Morning News - September 4, 1963; Page 3
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

LENNIE LEEOATNIE PATTERSON
MAY 5, 1877 - SEPT. 2, 1963

Keenan Cemetery, Farmers Branch, Dallas County, Texas