EMMA ARVEDA PATTON, 94, of Pittsfield, IL passed away Thursday, May 6, 2010 in Tucson, AZ after suffering a stroke on April 15, 2010. Emma had been residing with her daughter, Georgia Sparks of San Manuel, AZ and her son and daughter-in law, Robert “Ernie” and Glenda Patton of Cape Coral, FL.

Emma was born in Pearl, IL on November 8, 1915 a daughter to Ernest and Verna Kessinger Smith.  She married George Patton on March 16, 1933 in Pittsfield, IL and had celebrated 71 years of marriage before his death on December 17, 2004.

She was a member of the Church of Christ of Pittsfield and in her earlier year’s Emma cooked at the Couch Nursing Home in Pittsfield.  She was a wonderful cook and made delicious fried chicken, homemade pies and “real coffee”, a favorite of sister and brother-in-law, Leona and Don Boren.  She enjoyed cooking, flowers and devoted her life to her husband, George before his death.

Her daughter, Georgia Sparks of San Manuel, AZ and son, Robert “Ernie” and wife Glenda Patton, of Cape Coral, FL, survives Emma along with three grandchildren, Danielle Leeseberg and husband Tim of Brandon FL, Cheryl and husband Allan Reid of San Manuel, AZ, and Matthew and wife Jeanette Patton of Tampa, FL.  Seven great grandchildren survive Collin and Cory Reid, Matthew Ernest, Emily and Tristen Patton, Timothy and Robert Patton Leeseburg and two great-great granddaughters, Abigail Georgia Lynn and Clara Reid also survive.  Beloved baby sister and special brother-in-law Leona and Don Boren of Pittsfield, sister-in-law, Mary Jean Smith of Kampsville, and granddaughter-in-law, Kathy Patton of Katy, TX also survives along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Emma was also preceded in death by an infant son, Jackie Lavern, a grandson, Robert E. Patton Jr.,  son-in-law, Glenn Sparks along with siblings, Earl R. Smith, Paul Smith, George E. Smith, Lelia Wedding, and Ethel Shanks.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at the Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with Bob Hammitt officiating.  Interment will be in the Hess Cemetery near Pearl, IL.  Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Monday evening, May 10, 2010 at the Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield.  A lunch for family and friends will be held at the Pittsfield Community Center after the services.

Memorials are suggested to the Hess Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.