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Helen Gertrude Brillhart Patterson, 95, of Carthage, Texas, died Wednesday, June 18, 2008, at her home.

Mrs. Patterson was born Oct. 1, 1912, in Strong. She was the second born of seven children to the marriage of William Wright and Mattie Lee Moore Brillhart. Gertrude was reared and educated in Strong and El Dorado, later graduating from El Dorado Junior College in 1931. A coin toss in front of Elliott’s Jewelers in El Dorado won William Fae “Pat” Patterson the privilege of asking a young redhead out for a date. This would lead to the love affair that would last their lifetimes. From that coin toss on, these two would partner in marriage, family, business, and community affairs. Pat and Gertrude married June 9, 1934, in El Dorado, and remained devoted for over 57 years until his death in 1991. Hotel management moved Gertrude and Pat from South Arkansas to East Texas where they partnered in the oil and gas industry and founded the Patterson Insurance Agency. Gertrude served her community through her musical talents playing for the Rotary, Lions Club and Central Baptist Church. As community leaders and philanthropists, they gave the Hawthorn Clabaugh Patterson Home for use by the city of Carthage, supported multiple organizations, and helped countless individuals personally and in businesses.

Mrs. Patterson was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Williard Brillhart; sisters, Pauline Chambless, Mary Lee Hendriks, Willie Gene Keeton and Maxola McCauley; niece, Susan Chambless; and a nephew, Buster Francis.

Survivors include a sister and brother-in-law, LaNell Brillhart and Berry Lee Moore of El Dorado; nephews, Chris and Sheryl Chambless of Houston, and Andy and Ginger Moore of El Dorado; nieces, Patsy Ann and Jim Rivers of Pulaski, Tenn., Rebecca and Bob Wattleworth of Detroit, Sherrel and Ben Johnson III of El Dorado, Judy and David McMillan of Kingsport, Tenn., Jody and Dennis Rivers of Henderson, Texas, Lydia and Joey Caraway of Little Rock, Rachel and David Uth of Orlando, Fla., and Becky and Tim Rogers of El Dorado.

Survivors also include special friends of the family, Luis and Susie Gonzales of Carthage and numerous great nieces, great nephews, great-great nephews and a host of friends.

Funeral was Saturday in Hawthorn Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dennis M. Rivers and Sam Patterson officiating. Burial was in Restland Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home of Carthage.

Pallbearers were Richard Thomas, Scott Thomas, Cory Bankhead, Johnathan Perlman, J.R. Duke and Jackie Robinson.

Memorials may be made to the Carthage Independent School District Education Foundation, No. 1 Bulldog Drive, Carthage, Texas 75633 and the First United Methodist Church Music Ministry, 201 S. Shelby, Carthage, Texas 75633.