Mary Ann Patterson

Mary Ann Bivins Patterson, “Nana”, age 78, lost her battle with dementia on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, surrounded by her family. On Sunday, January 6, 1946, Mary Ann was welcomed into the arms of Robert “Boal” and Annie Katherine Busby Bivins in Lawrence County, Tennessee. 

Mary Ann married Leon C. Patterson on Tuesday, October 4, 1966, and remained faithfully married to him for 58 years. Together they raised three children, Marian, Marty, and Robert. In 2000, Mary Ann became “Nana” for the first time. From that day forward, she was known as Nana to not only her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but to half of Lawrence County. Employees of every establishment she frequented all knew her as Nana, and nothing made her prouder or light up brighter than the sun. Nana loved watching her grandchildren participating in all the extracurricular activities: softball, baseball, musicals, and any school function she could attend.

Mary Ann was blessed to be a homemaker for her family for 58 years. She was an amazing housekeeper, babysitter, and friend to every person she met. In case you never noticed, you could eat off her floors any given day. Her love and respect for God and the church helped lead her family, and who knows how many others, to a Christian life and service to God. 

Mary Ann hated sitting at home, so she could be found at Pat’s Cafe, Walmart, Kroger’s, Dunkin’s Market, Cozy Cabin or Co-Work Coffee any time she could get out. Sometimes she would let Leon go, but rarely. A coffee date was never turned down, ever! She loved going out to eat rather than eating at home, except on Sunday’s. Sundays were the day she loved the most and looked forward to cooking for her family and spending time with them. She also had a love for flowers, and often she would keep the roses trimmed and fed at several businesses, friends, and family’s homes. In her early years, she loved gardening and preserving, making sure to put all the kids to work.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert “Boal” and Annie Katherine Busby Bivins; three sisters, Wanda Bivins, Fay Bivins, and Bonnie Bivins Westfall; two brothers, Roy Bivens and Ray Bivins; one half-brother, Ralph Bivens; and son-in-law, John Isabell.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Leon C. Patterson; three children, Marian Patterson Isabell, Marty Patterson (Shelley), and Robert Patterson; five grandchildren, Gabe Patterson (Molly), Nate Patterson, Bette Patterson, Lily Kate Patterson, and Brooks Patterson; two great-grandchildren, Finn Patterson and Kai Patterson; one brother, Richard Bivins; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

Thank you will never be enough to the following: Lawrence County Ambulance Service, Southern TN Regional Health System, AirEvac, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, NHC Scott, Gentiva Hospice Care and especially all of our family, friends, and providers, who met our needs at all times. 

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Leoma Church of Christ from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM. Services will be held at 12:00 PM at Leoma Church of Christ on Saturday, January 4, 2025, with Rodney Livingston and Jacob Evans officiating. The family suggests memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at ALZ.org or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at http://events.stjude.org/MaryAnnPatterson.

We are truly blessed!

Oh to be like her!