Barbara Jean (Sparks) Patterson

Barbara Jean Patterson, 96, of North Vernon, passed away at 3:14 a.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus.

Born November 21, 1929, in Richmond, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late James and Lucille (Dixon) Sparks. She married William V. “Curly” Patterson on July 19, 1947, in North Vernon; he preceded her in death on March 3, 2022.

Barbara was a 1947 graduate of Paris Crossing High School. Barbara and Curly owned and operated Pat’s Cleaners for several years. She had also worked for the North Vernon Shoe Mart and after retirement worked at Lime Plaza Retirement Hi-Rise in Lakeland, Florida. Barbara was a member of the North Vernon Church of the Nazarene where she once served as a Sunday School Teacher, a member of the choir, greeter and helped with dinners. Barbara enjoyed baking and watching sports, especially Indiana Fever, IU, Purdue and Indianapolis Colts.

Surviving is her son, Rick (Barb) Patterson of North Vernon; daughter, Phyllis (Gary) Martin of Zenas; brother, Bill Sparks of Florida; sister, Linda (Maynard Taulman) Sparks of Seattle, Washington; grandchildren, Chad (Dawn) Martin of Carmel, Carrie (Jon) Roscoe of Zenas, Todd (Melissa) Patterson of North Vernon and Trevor (Stacey) Patterson, Zenas; and great-grandchildren, Austin (Kiersten) Roscoe of Zenas, MaKenna Roscoe of San Diego, California, Luke Martin of Columbus, Mati Martin of Bloomington, Nicholas Patterson of North Vernon, Gracie Patterson of North Vernon, Abigail Patterson of North Vernon, Darrell Patterson of Zenas, and Lilie Patterson of Zenas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brother, Robert Sparks; and sister, Betty Woolard.

The funeral service for Barbara will be at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the North Vernon Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Jim Terry officiating. The visitation for family and friends will be on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will follow in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.

Memorials may be made through the funeral home in honor of Barbara to North Vernon Nazarene Church Youth Group.

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