Kathryn Jones Patton was employed by the federal government for 30 years.
She died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. She was 76.
Patton was born Sept. 25, 1936 in Philadelphia to Robert (Scalie) Jones, Sr. and Christine Lorraine Moore Jones. She is the fourth child of five children born in the Jones family.
She graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1954. During her high school years she worked for Father John at St. Charles Catholic Church and school located in South Philadelphia. After graduation from high school she started working full time for the federal government starting as an administrative clerk and later moved into supervisory positions within the Department of Defense until retirement in 1991 after 30 years of service.
She married Clarence Patton and the couple had two daughters. She lived and worked in Philadelphia for 61 years of her life. After fighting and surviving breast cancer, she moved to Lansing, Mich. in November of 1997.
Patton was a devoted mother and encouraged her girls to be involved in many activities such as participating with the Philadanco School of Dance, taking singing lessons, learning to swim and competing in track and field summer programs.
Her family said she always had a vibrant and fun loving spirit.
“Once you met Kathryn she was a person you would never forget. She could warm your heart in 15 minutes and within that time you knew that her belief and faith in God was evident. She showed love toward everyone she came in contact with,” her family said.
While in Philadelphia, Patton spent countless hours volunteering with various programs working with young children and troubled teens.
She also went back to school part time until she obtained her bachelor’s degree from Antioch University.
Patton worked at Waverly Community Schools’ East Intermediate as a lunch aide and at its daycare facility. She loved working with the children and spoke of them often.
She was also a member of the University Reformed Church located in East Lansing, Mich. She attended for several years until her health could not sustain the drive from Lansing to East Lansing. She later attended Mount Hope Church located in Delta Township, Mich.
She was an avid Bible reader and enjoyed telling stories. Patton’s favorite hobby was talking to people and making them laugh.
She was preceded in death by her husband and brothers, Gilbert and Robert.
Patton is survived by her sister, Juanita Feggins; brother, William (Billy) Jones; daughters, Diane Flanagan and Monica Patton; son-in-law, James Flanagan; two grandchildren, Alexander and Nigel Flanagan.
A memorial service will be held Nov. 28 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Estes-Friendly Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw St. Lansing, Mich.
The funeral will be held Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.
