Mattie Lou (Culver) DeFoor Pattat

Mattie Lou Culver DeFoor Pattat, longtime resident of Fayette County and retired Merchant died Friday morning, September 23, 2011 at the National HealthCare Center in Somerville where she had resided for one month. She was 97 years of age and died following a brief illness.
A Service of Remembrance for Mrs. Pattat was conducted at 10 A.M. Monday, September 26th at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Rev. Ann Bledsoe, former pastor of the Lafferty Circuit of the United Methodist Church officiating. Granddaughter, Cindy Fish delivered the eulogy and special music was provided by a nephew, Ervin Johnson and a niece, Barbara Davis. Interment followed in the Macon Cemetery at Macon, TN. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes and Cremation Center — Main Chapel of Somerville.
Mrs. Pattat was born September 19, 1914 in Hardeman County to the late Lewis M. Culver and the late Coulia B. Houston Culver. She moved at an early age to the Macon Community of Fayette County with her parents and received her education in the Fayette County Public School System. She was first married to Arnie L. DeFoor of Fayette County who died in 1953 and was later married to C.E. Pattat, Sr. of Fayette County who died in 1987.
Mrs. Pattat and her family operated DeFoor’s Grocery Store on the Old Brownsville Road in Fayette County for many years. The grocery store served as a gathering place for many of the area residents, black and white, who were not only customers, but friends. In appreciation for their friendship Mrs. Pattat and her family donated land for the addition to the Alexander Missionary Baptist Church.
Mrs. Pattat was also a devoted homemaker throughout her life with a deep love for her family, church friends and community. She was a dedicated member of the Bethlehem United Methodist Church as long as health permitted. She was a lifelong resident of Fayette County. Mrs. Pattat remained active throughout her life and was blessed to remain at her home until her recent illness.
Mrs. Pattat is survived by three daughters, Gay DeFoor Hillman (Richard) of Houston, TX, Sandra A. DeFoor Kemmerling (Billy) of Somerville, Patricia Pattat Gaither (Lynn) of Batesville, AR, three sons, Gene DeFoor (Peggy) of Gallaway, Harold Pattat (Lucille) of Somerville, Billy Pattat (Tommie) of Somerville, three sisters, Ola Davis of Knoxville, Carolyn Johnson of Atlanta, GA, Marion Snell of Memphis, her brother, Garner Culver of Williston, and a host of loving grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sons, Walter E. DeFoor, who died in 1995, and C.E. Pattat, Jr. who died in 2010.
Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Eddie DeFoor, Carlton DeFoor, David DeFoor, Don DeFoor, Doug Treadway and Jim Fish.
The family requests that memorials be directed to the Macon Cemetery Association, 10565 Highway 193, Williston, TN 38076.