Iris Patterson, age 81 of Carthage, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 in Longview. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016, at Jimerson Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel in Carthage with Rev. Keefe Cropper officiating. Inurnment will follow at Restland Memorial Park Mausoleum. Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the service.

Mary Iris Vellier was born Dec. 6, 1935 in Donaldsonville, LA to parents Russell Anthony Vellier and Marie Emmalina Richard Vellier. The family moved to New Orleans and then to Metairie where Iris graduated from Metairie High School in 1953. After graduation Iris worked at Delta Freight Line in New Orleans until she married Bob Long Patterson on Dec. 20, 1953. They relocated to Texas where she worked alongside her husband for many years. She was very active with raising their children and keeping their home. Mrs. Patterson later attended Panola College where she studied to be a computer specialist and was on the President's List. She worked as a financial aid advisor at Panola College from 1986 until she retired in 2000. Mrs. Patterson loved spending time with her family and considered raising her children her greatest accomplishment. She loved her grandchildren dearly and was known to them as "Nonnie." Mrs. Patterson also enjoyed reading, watching old movies, cooking, and canning, especially pickles and jelly. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Joan Villani, Jean Gaudet, and Virginia Mahl; brother, Russell Anthony Vellier, Jr.; and son-in-law, Jacky White.

Mrs. Patterson is survived by her children, Bobby Patterson and wife Pam of Carthage, TX, Jodie Register and husband Jeff of Carthage, TX, and Lisa Langford and husband Terry of Breckenridge, TX; step-son, Robert Patterson and wife Judy of The Woodlands, TX; former husband, Bob Patterson of Garrison, TX; sisters, Kay Miller of Metairie, LA, Eris Khalil and husband Ben of Covington, LA; brother, David Vellier of Louisiana; grandchildren, Kristopher Register of Carthage, TX, Jaclyn Morehart and husband Micah of Breckenridge, TX, Kyle Register of Tatum, TX, Jay White and wife Danielle of Breckenridge, TX, and Klayton Register and wife Sara of Tyler, TX; step-grandchildren, Robby Patterson and wife Tammy and Jason Patterson and wife Kendra all of Houston, TX, Jennifer Griffin and husband Billy and Jessica Lackey and husband Phil all of Magnolia, TX, Kimberly Bryant and husband James of Waxahachie, TX, Kristi Hadl and husband Nick of Fort Worth, TX, and Matt Langford and wife Angela of Breckenridge, TX; great-grandchildren, Karter Register, Kennedy Register, Braxton Register, Jackson Morehart, Berkley White and Aniston Register; numerous step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Shelby, Carthage, TX 75633, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or the charity of your choice.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.