Barbara Fay Connell Patterson, 88, of Callaway, passed away on Monday, February 16, 2026, at the Callaway Good Life Center.

She was born on October 19, 1937, in McPherson County to Daniel Errold and Lena Fay (Paxton) Connell. She was raised on a ranch in Thomas County that was owned by her uncle Chet Paxton, and that her dad was a foreman of. The family later moved to a ranch of their own nearby. She went to rural grade schools and attended North Platte High School for two years before attending Thomas County High School where she graduated with the class of 1955. Soon after she headed off to summer school to teach at rural schools in Thomas, Cherry, and McPherson counties. She took a break from teaching to attend Grace Bible School in Omaha, Nebraska, where she worked in a bakery, as a nurse's aide, and as a Christmas season clerk.

Barb was united in marriage to Charles Patterson on June 4, 1966, in Stapleton, Nebraska. To this union, 2 sons were born, Bradley Charles on February 28, 1967: soon to be followed by Bruce Leon, June 20, 1968.

Barb always knew she was to be a teacher and loved working with children and teaching them about Jesus. Among other things, she taught Sunday School classes and directed Morning Star Vacation Bible School for many years before handing the job over to the younger ladies. Barb enjoyed making stick horses for her boys and their cousins, her grandchildren, and the greats, as well as the neighborhood children.

Besides working with children, she enjoyed working on Bible Study lessons with the ladies, developing a passion for writing. First writing, then directing her skits and plays and the like; authoring two books (one still residing in the computer). She especially felt close to her Lord when she finally got to the place of a daily time of reading the Word and praying, she was just slow getting there. Her other joys were her husband, sons, grandchildren, greats, and the people each of them brought into her life, as well as the family she was born into. She adored her friends as well.

Barb was preceded in death by her beloved husband Charles; son, Bruce, as well as her parents, Dan and Fay Connell; Charles' parents, Floyd and Addalecia Patterson; grandparents, sister, Lora Roth; nephews, Gordon Connell and Nathan Barkman; niece, Lena Barkman; sisters-in-law, Carol Basinger Connell, Phyllis Griffith Connell, LaDonna Longmore; brothers-in-law, Larry Smith, Al Barkman, Darrel Roth, and Norman Patterson.

Survivors include her son, Brad Patterson and wife Keri; grandchildren, Blake (Brittney) Patterson, Britni (David III) Taylor; great-grandchildren, Kylie, Maci, and Ryder Patterson, David IV, and Kati Taylor; brothers, Dan (Geneva) Connell, Sam Connell, and Mike (Tina) Connell; sisters, Carolyn (Eldon) Pritzel, Wilma (Donald) McCune and Wanda Wilkins; brother-in-law, Stan Longmore; sister-in-law, Lynetta Patterson, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Callaway United Methodist Church in Callaway with Pastor Michael Garner officiating.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway.

Burial will be held at the Stop Table Cemetery in Callaway.

Memorials are kindly suggested to be made out to Brad Patterson to be later designated.

Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com