PATRICIA DALE DILWORTH

On the 22nd day of June 1943, Patricia D. Dilworth was born to the union of the late Mr. William Sr. & Mrs. Ethel Mae Baskerville in Tucson, Arizona, along with her brother (deceased) William Baskerville Jr. both spent their formative years in Tucson.

Patricia was married to the love of her life, Curtis P. Dilworth on September 18, 1992.

In her earlier years with the heart for equality, she became involved with CORE (Congress of Racial Equality). She saw on television blacks being beaten, buses set on fire and signs over water fountains saying “whites only” and “colored only” and  she knew she wanted to be a part of a movement that would not only help her race but America.

Thus her journey began by becoming a part of The Freedom Riders which began in May 1961.  This movement lasted seven months involving over 400 direct participants and desegregated dozens of bus stations, train stations and airports. The purpose was to financially stress Mississippi, fill their jails and because of the number of Freedom Riders, many had to be sent to Parcham Prison.  The Freedom Riders were housed on death row with four per cell with two bunk, beds, water fountain and toilet.  Patricia was fed under-cooked oatmeal, cornbread filled with black pepper and seldom had any meat.

Patricia’s journey with The Freedom Riders led to her arrest on July 9. 1961 after turning 18 on June 22 for Breach of Peace, a misdemeanor, she stayed for 30 days due to an illness.  Normally misdemeanors are handled by attorneys, but Mississippi required that they all had to physically come back.  Donations were provided for their transportation and a Black College provided their housing.  When she returned to Houston, TX she was arrested for staging a sit-in at Kress Drug Store.  Patricia continued to support CORE for many years after the Freedom Riders.

Patricia joined the United States Army on March 4, 1974 traveled and served her country around the world and did a short tour during Desert Storm. She retired with an Honorable Discharge as a Sergeant Major on June 1, 1998 with 24 years of service.

Patricia leaves to mourn, her husband Curtis of 38 years, one son, Michael Baskerville, one grandson, Derek Baskerville and two great grandchildren, her Sister Dorothy (Donnie), two sister-in-law’s, Joyce Little and Brenda Dilworth and a special niece Linda Haywood.

Patricia united with Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church along with her husband on April 9, 2017; where she faithfully attended and served. She loved the Lord, her Pastor and her Church Family.

Patricia was a member of many Freedom Riders organization that still supports equality for all and traveled everywhere; speaking on equality and her experiences as a Freedom Rider, it was her calling to let everyone know that Freedom Cost.

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