Grace Ivadelle Carter Patten

A year ago on April 2, 2010, Grace Ivadelle Carter Patten of Burbank, passed away at the age of 96. She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on January 7, 1914. She was the daughter of Fern Hazel Carter and George Vest Carter. The family which included Grace’s younger brother, John Wallace Carter, drove to California in 1918 in a Model T Ford. All of the family members were involved in films. Fern, a teacher, taught young actors and actresses on set, including the famous “our Gang” members. Grace played the juvenile lead in the film “Evangeline”. Graduating from Hollywood High School in 1932, she was a milliner for several years, designing and modeling hats.

She married Fahy Orville Johnson of Hollywood in 1934. They had two children, James Willden Johnson in 1938 and Richard Carter Johnson in 1939. Fahy’s career was in YMCA management, and they lived in San Diego, where was responsible for the operation of the Army-Navy YMCA. Grace learned to fly small aircraft and proudly received her pilot’s wings in 1946. She was President of the State Federation of Women’s clubs for two terms and was also a member of the Board of Directors of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs based in Washington D.C.

After her second marriage in 1948 to Wendell E. “Pete” Patten, the family lived at Lake Arrowhead, California and later managed a guest ranch in Yermo, California. They settled in Burbank in 1952. After Pete’s death in 1964, Grace became a buyer for Bullock’s Department Stores. In retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Christopher Patten Johnson and Jennifer Kathleen Johnson.

At her request, no services were held. Interment took place at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.