Elsie N. Patterson passed away peacefully on October 18, 2016 in Modesto, California at the age of 93.  Elsie was born on August 31, 1923 to her parents James Charles and Emily Frances Warren in Carnegie, Oklahoma.
   Elsie grew up in Cement, OK, where her family farmed. Elsie had a deeply religious upbringing and always kept faith at the forefront of her life.  At age 16, she ventured west to California where she met her future husband, Riley D. Patterson of Chowchilla.  Riley and Elsie were married from 1939 until his passing on September 22, 1985.
In the early 1950’s, Riley’s sister and brother-in-law passed away leaving five children.  He and Elsie embraced the children into their lives as their own. She loved being a mother, a Sunday school teacher/ principal, volunteering as an election precinct poll clerk, Bible study and hosting family and friends at her home. When Riley was home from assignments as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife specialist, they enjoyed square dancing with a local club, and attending church and Masonic events. Elsie later worked as a food service supervisor for Kern County schools. After retiring, she found a second career that became her passion  health supplements sales.  Her knowledge of herbs, minerals and vitamin supplements became her passion.  Whenever a friend or relative had an ailment, a shipment of herbs was soon at their doorstep. 
  She moved to Northern California several years ago, residing in the Bay Area and then settling in Ripon where she was active at the Ripon Free Methodist Church and Bethany Home.  She was a resident of Brookdale Assisted Living in Manteca at the time of her passing.
   She is survived by her grandchildren Lorna Goodsell, David Mercer, Julie Farmer, Glen Farmer, Sam Russell, Tommy Russell, Terri Castle, Danny Donati, Shane Donati, Shantel Donati, Amber Church, Jacob Banks and Amanda Banks, her nieces and nephews: Sheryl Pimentel, Patricia Wilbur, Frank Mahaffey , Star Pirot, Sarah Held, Steve Warren,  Wanda McCain, Ivan Lankister, Phillip Lankister, Lindell Warren and  Karen Olson, her daughter-in-law Ginny Farmer and her son-in-law Norman Mercer. She is also survived by numerous great-grand children, cousins and friends.
  She was preceded in death by her parents James C. and Emily F. Warren; husband Riley; children Judy Mercer, Richard Farmer, Susan Moore, Linda Smith, and Luanna Banks; two grandchildren: Ellen Mercer and Richard Castle; and siblings Canelia Yeargan, Vera Lankister, Herschel Warren, Maxwell Warren, Anna Belle Scarborough and Eunice Mahaffey, along with brother Wendell Warren and sister Roberta Warren, who both died in infancy.
  Her family thanks the caregiving and dining room staff at Brookdale in Manteca for their kindness to Elsie, and the Ripon Free Methodist Church family for their overwhelming support .
 Donations in Elsie Patterson’s memory may be sent to: Ripon Free Methodist Church, 218 W Main St, Ripon, CA 95366 or a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Deegan Funeral Chapel. A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 10am at Ripon Cemetery, 320 North Stockton Avenue in Ripon, followed by a Memorial Service at the Ripon Free Methodist Church, 218 West Main Street in Ripon. For condolences to the family, please visit her online guestbook at www.deeganfuneralchapels.
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Ripon
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Tuesday, October 25, 2016