Comments

Volume 7, Issue 27 - Feature #449

1920 Pow Wow Yearbook & Floris Patterson...

I wanted thank Tami for making sure that Grandmother Floris' painting returned to her grandchildren. What a lovely gesture. In a time when so many people seem to be thinking of only themselves, you reminded everyone that most people are still kind and thoughtful. Lora, my baby sister, was thrilled to get the picture. It appears that Floris had her sister, Elberta, pose for the picture. Interestingly enough, My sister favors our Great Aunt Elberta and is named after Floris' other sister, Lora. You might enjoy knowing that Floris was considered a child prodigy. She was sent at a very early age to attend the Art Institute in Chicago, ill. and from there attended the Grand Central Art School in New York City. She returned to Laverne, OK as a young lady and taught art in grade school. She painted almost all of the church baptismal murals in her little town. Her gift to all who wed was an original painting. She was married to Jesse Aldridge on December 21, 1928 and moved to Shawnee for a few years before returning to Laverne. They had a son, Lawrence Eugene, soon after moving back to Laverne. Jess was the Superintendent of the Laverne Light and Power Plant. Ten years into their marriage and at only 32 years of age, Jesse died of a severe asthma attack on his birthday on October 9, 1938. He never knew his wife was carrying his second son, Donald Ray Aldridge. Floris continued to teach with the support of her community and family. She died suddenly and unexpectedly in 1946 while talking on the phone with a friend. My Uncle Eugene remained in Laverne to finish his education. He was sixteen and had a good job and family to live with. My father was only six. He was adopted by Floris' brother, Frank W. Patterson and his wife Pauline Gilliland Patterson. They took him back to El Paso, Texas to raise him with their son, Burton. I tell you all of this that you might know a little bit about a woman that lived a very short time, suffered some deep tragedies, and still left beauty in many, many homes and churches across the area she loved to call home. She could have stayed in New York. She had the potential to stand with the greatest artist of her time. She was educated with fellow students like Norman Rockwell, but she chose Oklahoma. My brother, Jesse Eugene Aldridge, my sister, Lora Aldridge Thompson, and myself, Paulita Aldridge Hayes all returned to Kentucky in 1971, but we remained very close to our Oklahoma heritage. Through the years we have received some of our grandmother's lost art. It is the only tangible connection to a grandmother we never got to know personally. Tami, thank so much. Sincerely, Paulita A. Hayes

Paulita Aldridge Hayes - 2008-06-09 00:34:01

I want to again thank Tami for the painting of Floris Patterson, my grandmother. It's such a wonderful painting and looks like one of her sisters may have even been a model for it. Everyone who has seen the painting loves it. We really appreciate the opportunity to have the painting in the family. Lora Thompson

Lora Aldridge Thompson - 2007-07-21 08:55:48

I am happy to say that the painting by Floris Patterson has found a home with one of her family members. Thanks so much for helping me get the painting to her family. Thanks! Tami Conn

Tami Conn - 2007-07-03 13:44:30

Tami - EMAIL: tamidconn@yahoo.com is the lady who had the picture that was done by Floris Patterson and mentioned that she would like to find family members to return the artist picture to. You might drop her an email and let her know about the living child in Odessa, TX and possible others. Thanks for stopping by and letting us know. Have a great week!

NW Okie (a.k.a. Linda McGill Wagner) - 2006-05-27 12:54:32

Donald Ray Aldridge, Odessa, Tx., is the only living child of Floris Patterson. Floris married Jesse Aldridge and they lived in Laverne, Oklahoma. Floris has 7 grandchildren scattered around the country. Her sister, Lora Patterson Sipes, was also an artist an was an art teacher in Oklahoma.

Lora Aldridge - 2006-05-27 11:25:25

Please submit your own comments below.