Patti Dickey McLeary, age 80, of Oakfield, TN passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at her residence. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Jackson, TN with Father David Graham officiating. Visitation for Mrs. McLeary will be held one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 AM on June 2, 2022, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Jackson, TN.
Patti was born November 26, 1941, to the late Jim and Evelyn Dickey. She truly loved life and loved everyone. Her famous saying was “Love, love!” She never met a stranger and constantly gave unconditionally. She loved her yard, where she was affectionately known as the “Yard Lady” by neighbors and passersby alike. She was lifetime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Jackson, TN. Her greatest joy was serving others. Many hours were spent at St. Mary’s where her two loves were the Afrocentric Mass and the Wednesday night dinners, that she organized and prepared the food for many years.
She was also involved with numerous charities in East Jackson, working with young children in many different capacities.
She is survived by her husband, Ralph McLeary of Oakfield, TN; one daughter, Michelle Matlock and son-in-law Vincent Matlock of Jackson, TN; her siblings, Janice Faulkner (James) of Jackson, TN; Julie Gutch (Wayne) of Memphis, TN, and Jimmy Dickey of Nashville, TN. She was the best Nana ever. She couldn’t talk without bragging about her grandchildren, Anna, Jon, Ben and Mark. They loved her dearly. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her dear brother-in-law, Hugh McLeary, and brothers, Danny Dickey and Michael Dickey.
A special thank you to her wonderful caregivers, Deena Maness and Delora Bond. They went above and beyond taking care of her every need and quickly became family.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38138-9908 and Keep My Hood Good, 119 Riverside Drive, Jackson, TN 38301. All services and arrangements are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN.