Opal Lee Patterson, age 79, of Garland passed away Oct. 4, 2009, in Rowlett.

Opal was born Nov. 19, 1929, in Emory, Texas, to Opa and Bettie Lee (Cooke) Ely. She married William Arthur Patterson, Jr., on Feb. 15, 1947, in Farmersville, Texas. Opal was an assembler for VARO in Garland and a member of Abundance of Praise Fellowship formerly Spirit Walk Church of God in Garland for over forty years. She was the adopted grandma for the Harley Owner's Group (HOG) and a member of the Senior Citizens group in Garland. Opal was also very active with the Garland ISD cafeteria where she was also adopted as grandma.

She is survived by her son, Jerry Patterson and his wife, Viola of Rowlett; sisters, Mary Ruth Nutt of Pleasant Grove, Texas, and Thelma Jo Heddin of Golden, Texas; and brother, Opa Ely, Jr. of Gun Barrel City, Texas.

She was preceded in death by husband, William Arthur Patterson, Jr. in 2000, brother, Bobby Ely, and sisters, Lula Mae Ely and Lavana Smith.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Allen, Texas, with Rev. Keith Green officiating. Interment will follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Motor Cops for Kids Toy Run, 1334 W. Centerville, Rd., Garland, TX, 75041.

To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com.