Mildred (Rucks) Patton Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Tribute MILDRED LENA (RUCKS) PATTON 1939 - 2019 HOLYOKE- Mildred Lena Patton, 79, of Smith’s Ferry Holyoke, MA, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2019 at her home with her beloved husband Harold by her side. She was a lady through and through who resonated faith, compassion and devotion to her family, friends and church community. She entered into this life in Brookhaven, Mississippi on October 12, 1939 with blessings from the Lord and her parents, the late Ira and Lena (Beard) Rucks. Growing up in Mississippi during a time of great racial divide, Mildred learned a great deal from her upbringing in the South and never let the racially-charged wrongs change her path of righteousness and love. She married Harold H. Patton and they recently celebrated 53 years of marriage. She retired from the Holyoke Housing Authority but continued to work part-time delivering meals to the elderly in the “Meals on Wheels” program. Her work with the elderly as well as school-aged children as a school bus monitor allowed her to continue her service to the community and Gods people. She enjoyed spending time on the Connecticut River, gardening, visiting the elderly, sick and shut in, and feeding people both in her home and theirs. Mildred grew up in the church and as an adult, she was actively involved serving as a Sunday School teacher, a mother and mentor to many and as a Deaconess for over 50 years. She was predeceased by her son, Harold “Pat” Patton on July 2, 2016 and her grandson Christopher Humphrey in December of 2018. She leaves her husband Harold; her daughter Tammy (Patton) Hester and husband Darryl of MD; her son, Albert Humphrey and wife Ceil of Easthampton, MA; and her daughter-in-law Michelle LaPlante of Easthampton. She also leaves her grandchildren, Jennifer Clark of Westfield; Lucas Patton of Easthampton; Brittney, Stephanie, Darryl III and Bradley Hester all of MD as well as her great grandchildren, Jalinda, Envii, Alexis, Lia and Max “Little Chris”. Predeceased by nine other siblings, she leaves her brother, GenieB. Rucks of Springfield, MA; her brother D.V. Rucks and her sister Evelyn Thornton both of Los Angeles, CA; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2019 from 5:00PM-7:00PM at Messier Funeral Home, 1944 Northampton St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Her funeral will begin on Friday at 10AM in the Bethlehem Baptist Community Church, 304 Chestnut St., Holyoke, MA 01040. The interment will be private. If friends desire, memorial donations in Mildred’s name can be made to United Negro College Fund. Please visit www.messiefuneralhome.com for more details or to share online condolences and memories. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mildred (Rucks) Patton, please visit our floral store.

Tributes

Mildred (Rucks) Patton

October 12, 1939 - July 1, 2019