Hildreth Patterson

Hildreth Fay Clark Patterson passed away July 17, 2022 at the Garrard County farmhouse where she was born 95 years ago to the late Robert Collier and Bernice Broaddus Clark.  Her adoring husband, Roy Patterson, Jr., predeceased her in 2006 after 58 magnificent years of marriage.

Hildreth and Roy spent the bulk of their married life in Louisville, raising a family there and operating the then-familiar Maples Motel behind their home.  They would later enter the hardware business with the purchase of Fairdale Feed and Hardware.  A proficient bookkeeper, Hildreth presided over all the finances for both businesses.  The Pattersons were active members of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville.   In 1995, Roy brought Hildreth home to Lancaster where they retired in her birthplace that Roy remodeled and rebuilt for her.

Hildreth loved her time back in Garrard County and Garrard County loved her back.  Her porch door was always open as Roy and their daughter Dorothy Murphy welcomed community children to join them raising and showing sheep.  She soon became “Nanny” to those beyond her adoring grand and great-grandchildren.  She enjoyed canning and cooking from the farm’s gardens and having the time to devote to her quilting passion.  Hildreth was a longtime member of Lancaster Baptist Church.

Family was always Hildreth’s focus.  She is survived by her children Dorothy Patterson Murphy of Lancaster, James Alan Patterson (Deborah) of Louisville, and Rebecca Patterson Lally (Patrick) of Louisville; grandchildren Michael Murphy, Jennifer Patterson, Adam Patterson (Marilyn), Sean Lally, Brian Lally (Rebecca) and Kevin Lally (Nicholle); and great grandchildren Ashlyn, Anna Kate and Audrey Murphy; Kaleigh and Raelyn Lally; James, Alex and Quentin Patterson; Abigail and Roy Lally; and Ambrose and Gregory Lally.

Hildreth is also preceeded in death by her granddaughter Kara Murphy; her great granddaughter Alexis Murphy; three brothers Orville, Virgil and Ross Clark and her sister Dorothy Whittaker.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at Spurlin Funeral Home Chapel in Lancaster, Kentucky with Pastor Matt Cooke officiating and burial to follow in Lancaster Cemetery.  Visitation is from 5 – 8 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2022 and prior to the funeral at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren and son-in-law Patrick Lally.  Honorary pallbearers are her nephews Virgil “Tad” Clark, Wayne Clark, and Joe Whitaker, and her niece, Betty Sue Davis.

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