Patty in Heaven
Eve lyn “Patty” Merriweather-Ferguson
Those that know me know I first met my wife Frances J. Merriweather in third grade at PS 53. However, we didn’t reconnect again until we were both 31 years of age. One summer day, I happened to pull up next to her at the McDonalds at Delevan and Grider and she fell head over heels for me, and the rest is history. LOL. The first time I phoned Frances at her mother’s home, her mother answered, “Hello, may I speak to Frances please?” I asked. I could hear her shout out to someone the background “Patty! tell Jill she has a phone call.”
I nearly hung up the phone, thinking I had called a white family by mistake. When Frances came to the phone, I immediately asked, “Who is Jill?” From that moment on, “Jill” would be the center of my life for the rest of my life. I have always believed my wife was divinely sent to me, but I now realize that the entire Merriweather family was divinely sent to me and the world. I must admit when I married Jill 37 years ago, I wasn’t sure I was worthy to be a member of that family. Understand, the Frank Merriweather family was unlike any people I had ever encountered in my life. No one in the nuclear family, drank, smoked, swore, gambled, gossiped, or engaged in any criminality, including the boys. All the things that were endemic to my upbringing. They are just good old fashion people of the highest character and morality.
The Merriweather family lost Evelyn “Patty” Merriweather-Ferguson, my sister-in-law last week. She was the Executive Editor and heart and soul of the Criterion News. She was the wind beneath the wings of the publication for over 50 years. In the 37 years I have known Patti, I never heard her raise her voice, become angry, or say a bad word about anyone or anything. I can’t find the words to describe how special she was, so I won’t try. If you knew Patti, you would know she was a real Earth Angel loved by anyone that knew her. In life we want to believe our loved ones will go to heaven, but I know with certainty Patti received an express pass to heaven. If Patti didn’t get in, there is no God in heaven.
Her death is one of the most heart breaking of my lifetime, including my parents. Patty will live on in the hearts and minds of my children and grandchildren, who she baby sat and nurtured from infancy. Above all else Patty was a loving devoted wife to the love of her life, Albert, and mother to Brian and Jeremy, who she raised to be fine young men, Pray for them. To say my wife Jill and Patti were close would be an understatement.
They spoke to each day, every day, sometimes several times a day. I often asked what in the world could they be talking about, you just left her? I take great solace in knowing Patti is in heaven with her mother Evelyn, father Frank Jr., and sister Carol. God speed my precious Patti. Until we meet again. You will be missed forever.