Mrs. Bessie Mae McKee Patterson born December 26, 1932 departed this life on August 25, 2013.

She was a lifelong resident of W-S, graduating from W-S Teachers College, and spending much of her professional career teaching at local schools. Mrs. Patterson was an active member of New Century Missionary Baptist Church until her health declined. As a loving and supportive mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother, she was treasured by her family.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Bessie McKee; husband, Claude Patterson; sister, Mary McKee; son, Jerome McKee; grandson, Michael Styles; and great granddaughter Nyla Patterson.

She leaves to cherish her memory three sons, Willie (Jamie) McKee, Samuel (Glenn) McKee, & Ernest Taylor; two daughters, Sharon (Tony) Walker and Dorothy Patterson; 13 grand; 33 great grand; and 3 great-great grandchildren; and special friend, Alexander Hooper.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Saturday, August 31, 2013 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Artis H. Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Parklawn Memorial Park. The family visitation will be held from 11am until 12noon on Saturday at the Chapel.