Nancy Jayne Patterson of the Cyruston community, affectionately known as Mema to many, passed away peacefully from declining health at Alive Hospice in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at the age of 90.

She was the daughter of the late Zela Jane Swinford Barnes and the late F.A. “Peck” Barnes. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Moore Patterson; grandson, Justin Michael DelRe and her son-in-law, Phillip Ring.

She is survived by her daughter, Frances (Patterson) Ring; son, Rick (Scarlet Lane) Patterson: son, James (Melanie Childress) Patterson; son, Tony (Cindy Berryhill) Patterson; 12 grandchildren; Nathan (Candice), Mandy (Austin), Bekah (Michael), Zack (Jordan), Matt (Sarah), Callie (Chase), Jessica (Timmy), KC (Jenna), Amber (Ethan), Chris (Hannah), Mischa (Woody) and Wayne (Chere). Twenty-eight great-grandchildren; Blaze, Rivers, Silas, Waverly, JM, Annie, Luca, Addy, Rowan, Emmett, Lily, Abigail, Ella Jayne, Millie, Aidan, Kade, Chase, Shiloh, Maverick, Brooks, Brewer, Marley, Ensley, Jules, Kaylee, Kara, Jerry Sloan, and three great-great-grandchildren; Oaklee, Lainee, and Grady.

She was a graduate of Boonshill High School, and she attended Middle Tennessee State College, where she met her husband. She was a member of the Cyruston Church of Christ and a lifelong Democrat.

Born on Oct. 1, 1935, she was raised in the family homeplace in Cyruston, which started as a two-story log cabin without running water. The day she was born, electricity was turned on in that part of Lincoln County. A child of the silent generation, she witnessed some of these countries’ most historic events, such as the Great Depression, World War II and countless modern advances. As a four-year-old, she hid in a milk can to keep from getting her hair washed. The milk can had to be sawed apart with a hack saw to get her out!

At the age of 14, her father bought a farm in Cyruston on Swan Creek, which became known as Meadowbrook Farms, where they milked registered Jersey cows. She was a member of 4-H and won countless awards showing their Jersey cows. Her prized show cow’s name was Honey Chile and was a National Grand Champion. Meadowbrook Farms was in operation until 1994.

She lived in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, for more than 20 years, returning to Lincoln County in 1976. Her pride and joy were her large family, with many gatherings at her home on Swan Creek. The 2025 edition of the Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce magazine featured her picture on the front cover with an article inside. In her final days she made it a point to tell everyone how much she appreciated and loved them, as well as being proud of their accomplishments. She told countless stories about everyone and her life experiences.

A funeral service was held Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at Lynchburg Funeral Home with Greg Wiser officiating.

Burial followed at Rose Hill Cemetery in Fayetteville, Tennessee.