Paula Katheryn Patterson

Paula Katheryn Patterson, 59, of Fort Smith passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 7, 2014. Paula was born to Wanda Schumpert and the late Paul Dillard on May 26, 1954, in Tupelo, Miss. She graduated from Saltillo High School in 1971. She married Kelly Patterson in 1991. Paula was a Master Gardener, and was passionate about gardening, crafting, repurposing prized finds and working on their vintage home. She founded a community garden in Fort Smith and hosted a website for fellow gardeners. She loved her pets and her family. She was a true Mother Earth. Paula was an active member of the River Valley Master Gardeners, and served as president of the Lawn and Garden Show for the last two years. Paula is survived by three wonderful sons, David Wong of Nashville, Tenn., James Wong of Greenville, Miss., and Trevor (Isabel) Patterson of Fort Smith, Ark. She is also survived by her brother, Nathan Dillard of Saltillo, Miss.; and her sister, Ashley Dillard of Oakland, Calif. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Smith. Burial will be at Oak Cemetery in Fort Smith. Pallbearers will be Tommy Johnson, Monte Smith, Michael Richardson, Raj Bhanot, Kirk Myers and Carter Fujibayashi. Services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.