09/24/2026
I’m sure many who actively follow WIBW on social media and on-air have heard the news about the recent passing of our friend Charlene Patton.
For 10 years I would see Charlene at least once a month. She was there on my first day at WIBW and of course was my first ever live TV interview. I remember thinking how easy it was and that every interview to come would be a cake walk (and boy I was wrong). She would show up around 7am, usually on a Friday with totes, bags and boxes full of food and props…her Buick was always packed to the brim. Every square inch of the back, front, floorboard and trunk had something that needed to be carted inside and then back out. Oh the dishes and cleanup afterwards must have been a blast!
I was always amazed that throughout all that time and all those interviews she never cut corners. We recorded three segments each visit and she had three completely different presentations for each one. I imagine prep that went into her work was measured in days, not hours... but you’d never know by how easy she made everything look. She was a pro, yet as modest as a person can be.
Best part of it all is that she brought paper plates and plastic silverware so that everyone in the newsroom could enjoy her creations…and before leaving she always asked us what we wanted her to make the next month. At one time I just gave her access to my calendar and told her to book anytime she seen an opening and wanted to do a segment.
The photo posted is from one of my favorite segments with Charlene. It was from 2016 or 2017 when she requested different talent…my son Blake. We made pizza that day in what turned out to be one of my fondest memories from my time behind the camera. And it wouldn’t have happened without Charlene.
Even after moving to the sales department Charlene would often go out of her way to walk to the other end of the building and leave a note on my desk or at my door, and leave a few homemade goodies as well. I don’t think this was any special treatment, either — it was just Charlene being Charlene.
I’ve been staring at my phone for over and hour trying to come up with the right words and memories to acknowledge how wonderful of a person Charlene truly was. She wasn’t as nice as she appeared to be on TV because she was actually nicer in person. She was extremely selfless and had such a warm and welcoming vibe to everyone I watched her encounter. There’s just so much I could say here.
I have a simple request…In honor of Charlene, consider a random act of kindness to anyone you see fit. Just go a little out of your way to do something nice for someone who may not be expecting it, and who may well be in need of a warm gesture to turn their day around. Doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive, and you can even do it in secret —basically no rules other than be kind to someone who could use a little kindness... because that’s what Charlene would do.
I cannot think of a better way to pay tribute to such a wonderful lady. Who’s with me?
