Margaret Beard Patterson, 89, of Madison Heights, died Monday, June 5, 2006 in Fairmont Crossing Nursing Home in Amherst. She was the wife of the late Herman Lee Patterson. Born November 24, 1916 in Amherst, she was a daughter of the late Walter Randolph and Lois Johnson Beard. Mrs. Patterson was retired from the Central Virginia Training Center and was a member of Randolph Memorial Baptist Church. She was an amazing woman whose smile was contagious and she loved unconditionally. She inspired all those who knew her to live life to the fullest and live it in a way that was honoring to God. She made you laugh, she made you sing, she made you dance. She did a mean Charleston and made the best fried chicken, banana pudding and mashed potatoes. She always made sure you knew how special you were to her. She was who we all strive to be…an angel on earth, who was greatly loved and will be missed tremendously. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers, Joe Beard, John Beard, Richard Beard, Edward Beard and William Beard and two sisters, Effie B. Patterson and Mary B. Childress and one son in law, Earl Bryant. Mrs. Patterson is survived by one son, Herman (Pat) L. Patterson, Jr. and his wife Linda of Kingsport, TN; four daughters, Doris P. Bryant of Lynchburg, Hazel P. Mays and her husband William of Madison Heights, Geraldine P. Hensley and her husband Marvin of Amherst and Shirley P. Sandidge and her husband Colonel (Ret.) William Sandidge of Madison Heights; one brother, Walter R. Beard, Jr. of Madison Heights; one very special niece, Patsy Leftwich and her husband Marshall of Lynchburg; 11 grandchildren, Sandee Mattox and husband Gary, Clay Bryant and wife Kristi, Benny Brooks and wife Julie, Janice Youngs and husband Andy, Michael Brooks and wife Terri, Amy Foster and husband Mike, Cathy Mays and husband Neal, Sterling Oliver and husband Phil, Mary Beth Duffy and husband Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Brian, Karen Amato and husband Peter and William Sandidge, Jr. and wife Amy; five step grandchildren, Wendy Mattox, Lee Mattox, Michael Mattox, Linda Childress and husband Warren and Rhonda Shelton; 21 great grandchildren; five step great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and six step great-great grandchildren. A Celebration of her life will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Whitten Monelison Chapel by the Rev. John Ragland and the Rev. D. Jack Hamilton. Interment will follow in Amherst Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home and other times at her residence. Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider Randolph Memorial Baptist Church or Hospice of the Hills. The family would like to thank the staff and associates with Fairmont Crossing and Lynchburg General Hospital for the wonderful and loving care provided to Mrs. Patterson.

Whitten Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Monelison Chapel is serving the family.