Life Reflection’s

Barbara passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Barbara was born to Migns Louis (Morror) Patterson in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Lincoln High School on June 14, 1962. Four years later, she married Marvis Clemons on June 4, 1966 and moved to Joliet, Illinois where she became an Administrative Assistant at Argonne National Laboratories, where she could type 100 wpm and she was one of few African American women to work for this company during her time of employment. Barbara loved learning and studying new information so much that she attended Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois and enrolled in a Psychology Class and to obtain a Social Workers degree.

Barbara accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior, was baptized in the name of Jesus, and received the holy ghost under the leadership of the late Apostle Samuel Allen Sr. at Greater Bible Way Apostolic Temple, Joliet, Illinois. There she was a faithful servant in many departments. She was a Sunday school teacher, the radio announcer, a member of the Ensemble Choir, Missionary President, Church Cook and a teacher for women of all ages. Whenever the pastor needed a word defined, she was always ready, willing, and able to assist him by using her huge red Webster dictionary, which she wrapped in grey duct tape to preserve it. She was affectionately known to most at the church as Clemons the convenience store lady because she always had breath mints, cough drops, Kleenex, lotion, Tylenol, and perfume in her purse. If she did not have what you needed, she made sure the next time you saw her you were taken care of. Barbara had very strong opinions on any and everything, which at times was not received by most as kind words, but she had a heart of gold. She was a member of the congregation under the new leadership of Bishop Dr. Bryan S. Allen.

Barbara was the oldest of twelve children. She was preceded in death by her husband Marvis Clemons, mother Migna Louis (Morrow) Patterson, father Carey Patterson, one brother Herbert Patterson, two sons Johnathan and Vincient Clemons, daughter Trina Clemons, granddaughter Erlisha Rencher and great grandson Vincient May. She leaves to cherish her memories two loving daughters Donna (Jerry) Bell and Jettan (Glenn) Matlock. Sisters, Bertha Clay, Elizabeth Edwards, Mary (Levi) Leonard, Sandra Keel, Fay Patterson, Vanessa (Brian) Overstreet, Shirley Cooper, and Darlene (Jackie) Rodgers. Brothers Carey and Robert Patterson. Granddaughters Iquela and Glennese Matlock, great granddaughters Aaliyah Rencher, Abbrielle and Destiny Mallard, grandsons Joseph Schweitzer, David and Matthew Clemons and great grandson DeSean Mallard. A special friend Mattie Myers whom she loving called “Baby sister” and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

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