Elizabeth Louginia was born October 3, 1938, in her grandmother's back bedroom in Atoka, Oklahoma. Her mother worked and her dad was in the Navy and then served as a Deputy Sheriff and later Chief of Police. Lou spent a lot of time at her Grandmother and Granddad Baker's house growing up. Many of our holiday traditional foods came right out of Grandmother Baker's kitchen.

Lou and her mom walked to Church every Sunday morning and when she was almost nine years old, she made her profession of faith during a revival service. She deeply loved and served God all the days of her life!

When Lou was twelve, her brother Tommy Paul was born. He was a little terror growing up and during her teenage years, but despite the difference in age they remained close and enjoyed reminiscing through the years.

In High School, Lou was an officer in the National Honor Society for three years. She played bassoon in the band and was a Majorette for four years, and the Head Majorette for three of those years. Lou was in the Math Club and went to Oklahoma University her junior year and won 1st Place with her Math project. She served as Worthy Advisor for Rainbow for Girls. Lou graduated from Atoka High School as Salutatorian and was only 1/100th point from Valedictorian. She received a full scholarship in Math to Oklahoma University.

Lou met Sam, as a senior in high school, in January of 1956 when he took the Music and Youth Director position at First Baptist Atoka. She attended OU the summer after graduation and the first semester but then transferred to Southeastern in Durant at mid-term to be closer to Sam. He proposed to Lou on February 22, 1957, and they were married June 28,1957. From that moment on, UZ and Marie Patterson loved her like their very own daughter, and she loved them like she did her own parents. The next year, Mark was born and then Patti four years later.

Lou served right along Sam in all his churches teaching Sunday School, Bible School, Primary Choirs and ministered to people in all areas of their ministry. They served in Churches together in Mangum, Midland, San Antonio, Pampa, Carthage, and Houston. After moving to Carthage and working at a local flower shop, she opened The Violet Shop in the early 70s and enjoyed a very successful career as a florist. After over 25 years, they sold the shop and moved to Houston in 1993 to enjoy their grandchildren. While in Houston, Lou participated in Evangelism Explosion and sharing Jesus clearly became the focus of her world!

Her second love and greatest joy was her family…her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved her family, like Jesus does, unconditionally and with an unselfish love.

Lou continued to serve, after Sam's retirement, literally through the end of her life. At her last church, Westway Baptist, Lou was a co-teacher of her Sunday School class and sang in the choir. She and Sam spent hours at their breakfast table each morning praying for their family, Church, friends, and neighbors. While in the hospital Lou, literally, prayed without ceasing for others. While at home with sitters, she talked about Jesus and prayed with many of them as well.

On Thursday, March 20th, Lou went to be with Jesus after a very courageous fight. We know she is praising our Lord and anticipating the time when we will all join her in Heaven. It was truly her desire and the desire of her family that if you don't know Jesus as your personal savior, that you will today.

Lou was proceeded in death by her grandparents Elijah Gilbert and Mary Kate (Molly) Baker, her parents Wilmoth Doris and Joe Benefield and several loved aunts and uncles. She is survived by her husband Sam Patterson, her children: Mark & Judy Patterson and Patti Patterson; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jared & Tabitha Patterson, Jasper, Georgie, and Henrietta; Dustin & Audrey Patterson, Mary and Max; Blake & Christin Patterson, Emma, Grace, and Laney; Connor Patterson; Grant & Bailey Patterson, and Palmer; her brother Tommy & Earnestine Benefield, Jody and Thomas; extended family: Christie Colvin, Michelle & Kayne DiCola; and a multitude of friends.