Esther Ann Rowell Patton

Esther Ann Rowell Patton, 73, left this life after a four year battle with cancer and walked into the arms of her Savior on Sunday, April 11, 2010.
Mrs. Patton was a 1955 graduate of Gulfport High School and served on the reunion committee for her class. She continued her education at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston Campus.
In 1957, at the First United Methodist Church in Gulfport, Mrs. Patton married the love of her life, Jack Patton. Their marriage of almost 53 years was marked by constant companionship, an undeniable sense of humor, and undying devotion to their sons.
Mrs. Patton had worked for the former Gulf Park College in Long Beach in the early 1960s, for March of Dimes during the 1970s, and for Oak Place Pharmacy and Purcell's Pharmacy during the 1980s. She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing uniforms for Long Beach High Cheerleaders and Band, as well as gowns and costumes for local Mardi Gras krewes.
Mrs. Patton served in civic organizations such as the Jaycettes in Gulfport and Long Beach. She served as an officer for the PTA at Quarles Elementary School, Long Beach Junior High, and Long Beach High School. She was also heavily involved in supporting youth sports and high school sports. Throughout the 1970s she served as Concession Coordinator for the Dixie Youth Baseball League and the Pee Wee Football League in Long Beach. From the late 1970s through the early 1980s, Mrs. Patton served as an officer in the Long Beach High School Diamond Club and Gridiron Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents; George A. Rowell and Viola Melin Rowell
She is survived by her husband; Jack M. Patton; her sons, Jack McCall """"Mac"""" Patton, Jr. and his wife, Sonjia, and David Deen Patton and his wife, Diana, all of Long Beach; her grandsons, Joshua Patton of Long Beach and A1C Jonathan Patton and his wife, Kim, of Kirtland AFB (formerly of Long Beach); and her sister, Ruby Rowell Doig and her husband, Bill, of Williamsburg, VA.
Special thanks from the family are extended to Medical Oncology Clinic of Gulfport (Dr. Edwin Davidson and staff), the nursing staff of 3B at Memorial Hospital at Gulfport and long-time neighbors Joe and Connie Essinger and Hudson and Marie Hamilton.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 417 Security Sq., Gulfport, MS 39507.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd, Long Beach, from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM.
The funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 15, 2010, at 10:00 AM in the funeral home chapel.
An online obituary may be viewed and guestbook signed at www.riemannfamily.com.