Obituary of Merle Patterson

Leonard Merle Patterson, age 81, of Farmerville, LA was born on October 5, 1939 at Kilgore, TX to the union of his parents, Minor Carol Patterson and Ambrey Houge Patterson. He passed from this life on October 22, 2020 at his residence in Farmerville, LA following an extended illness. Merle was a proud graduate of LaSalle High School Class of 1958. He was a member and Honorary Deacon of Crestview Baptist Church in Farmerville, LA. Merle was a faithful Christian and loved his Pastor Wayne Whiteside dearly. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Family meant the world to him. He also loved building things, collecting, hunting, helping others and taking his sweetheart of 62 years fishing. Merle was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Lloyd Patterson, his parents, four brothers and two sisters. Those left to cherish his life and memories are his wife, Mary Helen Cassels Patterson; two sons: Robert Patterson (Della) and Van Patterson; his brothers: Claude Patterson (Pat) and Wayne Patterson (Ann); brother-in-law, Harry Cassels (Joyce); sisters-in-law: Gayle Baker (Roy) and Nell Kenworthy (Eugene); eight grandchildren: Josh Grant, Charlie Patterson, Matthew Patterson, Natalie Patterson, Stacey Patterson, Madison Towns (Cooper), Justin Patterson and Ava Patterson; six great-grandchildren: Riley Gaar, Noah Lane Patterson, Jerimiah Acres, Jewleyana Patterson, Journey Patterson and Lillian Lane Towns; and a host of nieces and nephews. Serving as pallbearers will be Trinity Hillestad, James Cook, David Patterson, Trey Hillestad, Marcus Kenworthy and Cooper Towns. Honorary pallbearers are Darrin Hillestad and Bobby Weatherford. The Patterson family will receive visitors Sunday, October 25, 2020 from 12:00 PM until time of service at 2:00 PM at Riser and Son Funeral Home located at 7131 Hwy 165, Columbia, LA with burial following at Rosefield Baptist Church Cemetery, Rosefield, LA with Brother Carlin Sanders and Kent Nugent officiating.