Michelle Holden-Patterson

Michelle Holden known to family as “Chelle” or “Duckie” was born to Ernest Holden Sr. and Vera Lee Williams in Phoenix, Arizona in 1964. In 1970 the family relocated to Portland, OR where she found her permanent residence. As a child Michelle enjoyed playing with her brothers and was more inclined to pick up a ball before a doll. On one occasion her brother Ernest had an ant farm that he told her she couldn’t play with but she was determined and behind his back she climbed  to the top shelf to get it, in her attempts she broke the jar destroying the ant farm and was attacked and bit in the process by the ants. 

Michelle attended Portland Public Schools, and one of her favorite subjects was black history.  She became a mother of two at an early age, but it didn’t stop her from establishing a career as a care giver for many years where everyone she met loved her. She wore many hats, everything from coaching basketball, to a teacher of life lessons, and would always come to the protection of her loved ones. Later in life she married and from that union her two youngest children were born . 

Michelle was seriously funny to those who knew her and everywhere she went she made an impact. She treated everybody the same and no matter how well she knew you she was your “Ainee.” She was known in the family as Celie from the color purple because of her bond with her sister Annette “Nettie” (Me and you us never part Makidada). Michelle will be missed because she was always straight forward, you never had to worry about where you stood with her, she loved her family especially her children and grandchildren.  Michelle loved the Lord and was big on faith. She enjoyed reading her daily scriptures and hated to be interrupted, her motto was “Let go and Let God”. Every time you parted, her way of saying I love you and I’ll see you again was to say “Deuces”

Michelle is preceded by her father(s) Ernest Holden Sr. and Johnnie B. Williams. Johnnie Williams III, and Owen Williams. She leaves behind her mother Vera Lee Williams, son Mario Holden, daughters; Toni Chamari Holden, Patricia NaTanya Patterson and Ly’Annette Rene’ Patterson, grandchildren Ty’mir Jaimare and Ty’lyiah Michelle James, brothers Ernest Holden Jr., Johnnie Leroy Williams, Kevin Williams, Mark Williams, Demetria “Bunky” Williams and DeShawn Williams. Sisters Vernetta “Susta” Holden-Washington, Annette Holden-Harris, Latanya Holden-Jenkins. Best friend Yolanda Augustus. Michelle also leaves behind 27 nieces and nephews 32 great nieces and nephews. A host aunts, uncles, cousins, in laws honorary family members and friends. She will be loved and cherished and missed by many “deuces” til we see you again.

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