Eliza Melissa Wilson Patterson

The following was written by Lillian P Morgan in 1978 as a tribute to her mother, Eliza Melissa Wilson Patterson (1882-1921).  As always, I try to use the original spelling. 

"My Mother"
There was always been a picture of her in my mind - ever since the day she last said good bye to us - a short time indeed for the family to have and to know, sweet, unselfish, devoted and fun to be with.  A busy woman, cooking, sewing, embroidering and having flower gardens and loving us always.  There were two older brothers and then four girls - and Dad would tease her about her four stair steps.  She was not a very big person - about 5'3 and slim as a rail, long dark hair done to perfection.  An excellent cook and nice treats for her family, dainty cream puffs - sweet roles, big steamed puddings -- the best of pies - and always the smell of fresh baked bread.  her house was always immaculate.  Mother had a big front window - extended out to hold house plants by the dozens - many times as we came from school we'd find women on the porch just loving the beauty of the blossems.

She made her girls dresses - hats and crochet bonnets - I often wonder how she found the time.  My two younger sisters can barely remember Mother but over the years hearing about her, seeing the pictures of her they do have an idea what she was like and how sweet she was.  Our youngest brother and the baby of the family was only 3 days old when Mother was taken from us - leaving a family that didn't realize what a void there would be - she has always been with me.

***Transcriber's Note
My grandmother, Donna Delora Patterson, was the youngest girl in the family, and though she may not have known her mother, the description here of Eliza might have been the description of her daughter, Donna.  My grandmother loved flower gardens, was a wonderful cook, an excellent seamstress, and kept an immaculate house.  She was a small woman, delicate and beautiful and one who always dressed with care and taste.  She was much like the flowers she loved so much - a delight to behold and a gift to all who came in contact with her.  ***

The following was written by Florence Wilson Cunningham Hunter, written about her sister, Eliza.

"When my sister - Melissa - died and my mother* was broken hearted I promised her that if she would not grieve I would care for and protect the little ones[.]  she thot at my age and being a widow that I would not be able to cary such responsibility.  But by the help of a kind and loving Father in Heaven I rose to the responsibility and was able to keep them together as a family and hope to keep sacred my promise to a loving Mother"

*Eliza Ann Rackham Wilson

In Memory of Donna Whitehead

The following is a copy of Donna Delora Patterson Whitehead's obituary:


1917 ~ 2003

RICHFIELD-SALT LAKE CITY- Donna DeLora Patterson Whitehead, 86, passed away on Monday, November 3, 2003 at the home of her daughter in Richfield, Utah.

Donna was born on August 24, 1917 in Salt Lake City to George Scott Patterson and Eliza Melissa Wilson.

Donna grew up in Salt Lake City and Ogden. She married Clifton Whitehead on April 5, 1941, he preceded her in death. They bought a home in Hunter, Utah and lived there all but two years of their married life. They raised three children: Clifton (Joanne) Whitehead, Boston, Massachusetts; Janis (Brent) Thorne, Richfield; Craig (Kathy) Whitehead, Orem; and a special daughter Susan, Boston, Massachusetts.

Donna was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She found her greatest joy and happiness in her home and family. She was a member of the D.U.P. and a member of the LDS Church.

She is survived by her three children, 11 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Ivy Higdon, Torrence, California.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Clifton; parents; three brothers; three sisters; and three grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. in the Valley View Funeral Home, 4391 West 4100 South, West Valley City. Friends may call on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 and again on Thursday morning one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Valley View Memorial Park.

Introduction

I can't say how many hours I've searched the internet for some small scrap of information on my ancestors. This little blog is just one more drop in the bucket of digital genealogy that needs to be filled. It won't help the majority of researchers out there, but hopefully it will help one or two.

I will be adding information that I have about the family information beginning with my grandparents, Clifton and Donna Whitehead. This blog is dedicated to their memory.