Claudia Garrett Patten

Claudia Garrett Patten

April 7, 1930 – September 16, 2020

Claudia Dean Garrett was born April 7, 1930 in Milligan, Florida to H. Claude Garrett and Gladys Marie Berry Garrett in a house next door to her great-grandparents.  She passed away into the arms of her Heavenly Father on September 16, 2020 at the age of 90.  

Claudia’s family moved to Crestview in 1936 where Claude was elected to the Okaloosa County School Board.  They also owned the Hotwire Grocery located on Main Street in Crestview.  In 1938, Claudia became a charter member of the first band program in Crestview where she learned to play all instruments, except the tuba.  In high school she was a cheerleader, as well as a member of the basketball and tennis teams.  Claudia attended summer school so she could graduate a year early with her high school sweetheart, Joe Blue Taylor, in 1946.

After briefly attending Florida State College for Women (FSU), she returned to Crestview where she and Joe married and had a son, Roger Allyson Taylor, in 1948.  Less than a year later, Joe was tragically killed by lightening while playing baseball in Baker.  Claudia married N. Allen Robinson, who adopted Roger, and they had two more sons, Allen Wayne Robinson and Kevin Blair Robinson.

She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Crestview where she sang in the choir for many years and at one point served as interim choir director.  As a talented pianist and vocalist, she was asked to sing at many weddings and funerals.  In 1959 she accepted the position of full-time choir director at Antioch Baptist Church where she served for several years.  Also during this time, she taught private piano and voice lessons in her home. 

Claudia was an executive secretary to John H. McCaskell, the treasurer of MR&R Trucking Company, for many years.  She also held a real estate license and was the owner/operator of Furniture Fashions, a home interior store in north Crestview, with her husband Jack D. Patten, Sr.

She was a caregiver to her mother for the last decade of her mother’s life, before her passing in 2000.  In 2017, Claudia moved to Crescent Park Village, an assisted-living facility.

Claudia was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, her sons, Roger, Wayne and Kevin Robinson, and her brother and sister-in-law, Lamar and Alma Garrett.  She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Linda Robinson of Crestview, her grandchildren, Allyson (Jason) Oury of Crestview, Chera (Phillip) Doty of Pike Road, Alabama, Darius Robinson of Daytona Beach, her great-grandchildren, Taylor and Nicholas Oury, Lauren and Caleb Doty, her great-great grandson Mason Oury, nieces, Krista Clark and Patsy Hill, and countless cousins and extended family.

The family extends a special thanks to her long-time caregiver, Ina Walters, and the staff at Crescent Park Village, Covenant Hospice and Crestview Rehabilitation Center.  

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview.  A celebration of Claudia’s life will be held at the Whitehurst Powell Chapel on September 20, 2020 at 3:00 pm with visitation starting at 2:30 pm.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the church or charity of your choice. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Whitehurst Powell Funeral Home in Crestview.  Guest book and condolences are available online at www.whitehurstpowellfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Claudia Garrett Patten, please visit our floral store.