Virginia Lee Patterson Thomas

Virginia Lee Patterson Thomas, 76, resident of Ocoee, passed away Saturday, June 8, 2013 in a local hospital. She was born in Fannin County, GA. to the late, Leonard Bert Patterson and Ida Ensley Patterson, and then her family moved to Conasauga, TN. She spent her early adult life in Conasauga and from there she met and married Browning Thomas of Benton. She was a 1956 graduate of Polk County High School and a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Ocoee. As a military wife, Virginia had lived in Germany, Thailand, and Panama (Central America). She had visited many other countries such as Peru, where her granddaughter Amanda was serving as a missionary. Virginia also had the distinction of flying over Vietnam during war time. She had the privilege of riding elephants in Thailand in her 30's, parasailing in the Indian Ocean in her 50's, and sand boarding in Peru in her 70's. Her life was full! She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Rockford Patterson, Gary Patterson and Ralph Patterson and sister, Evelyne Patterson Watson. She is survived by her husband, Browning Thomas of Ocoee; children, Cheryl Lynn Holloway and husband, Randall of Ocoee, Carol Lane Edwards and husband, Keith of Cleveland, Ramona Ann Jordan and husband, David of Benton and Larry B. Bush and wife, Sandra of Chickamauga, GA. Grandchildren, Nathan Hixson of Cleveland, Keith Hixson and wife, Kendra of Benton, Chris Ledford and wife, Amy of Cleveland, Justin Ledford of Ocoee, Alex Kachold of Cleveland, Aaron Kachold of Chicago, IL, Amanda Wells and husband, Jim of Jacksonville FL, and Samuel T. Bush, who is serving in the U.S. Navy in California and great-grandchildren, Kallie Hixson of Benton, Kambree Hixson of Benton and future great-grandson, Micah T. Wells, who is due August 19, 2013. Her sister, Thelma Patterson Brewer of Delano and several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home with Minister David Qualls and others officiating. Interment will follow in Shiloh Cemetery with a white dove release ceremony concluding the service. The family will receive friends from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 2013 at the funeral home. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Thomas family guest book at www.higginsfuneral.com.