Clara Jean Patterson, age, 82, of Ethelsville, AL died February 16, 2026 at Arbor Woods Health & Rehab in Reform.  Funeral services will be 11:00 am Thursday, February 19, 2026 at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Melvin Mordecai officiating.  Burial will be in Forest Community Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.  Visitation will be one hour prior and immediately following the service at the funeral home.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Clarence Byars and Waymon Byars; sister, Mildred Tilley; sister-in-law, Virginia Byars, nephew, Seth Richards and great-granddaughter, Peyton Perkins.
Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Dennis E. Patterson; daughters, Denise Perkins (Charles) of Ethelsville and Dedra Rush of Helena, AL; sister, Sheila Richards (Byron) of Fernbank; sister-in-law, Brenda Byars of Gordo; brother-in-law; Vernice Tilley of Ethelsville; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Clara was born June 29, 1943 in Pickens County, Alabama to the late Adron Byars and Lavada Shaw Byars.  She was a homemaker and a member of Union Chapel Baptist Church in Ethelsville.
Pallbearers will be Jason Perkins, Lee Pannell, Declan Crawley, Steve Patterson, Jodie Adair and Kyle Robertson.