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Willie Patterson Obituary
Dean Saylor Patterson
HICKORY -- Mrs. Patterson, 78, of 2nd Street Place SW, died December 31, 2009 at Frye Regional Medical Center. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Antonio Logan and Rev. Minnie Bryant will officiate. Burial will be in Southside Cemetery.
Born November 20, 1931 in Orangeburg County, SC, she was a daughter of the late Willie and Elizabeth Forrest Hodges Saylor. She was a member of Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Zion Church, where she served in many capacities holding numerous church offices, including Treasurer of Sunday School, President of the Trustee Board, and Charter member of Friendly Workers Club, and President of Senior Choir. She was a member of the NAACP and served on the membership committee. She was an active member of the Board of Directors of Cooperative Christian Ministry of Greater Hickory, and an active member of the Xi Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She retired after 32 years of service, teaching physical education.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Gregory Patterson, three sisters and four brothers.
Survivors are her husband, Paul Hoke Patterson of the home; daughters, Valerie Patterson Jenkins of Hickory, and Paula (Kerry) Hawkins of Rougemont, NC; grandsons, Nathaniel Jenkins III of Hickory and Terrence Moore of Raleigh; granddaughters, Cheryl (Reggie) Wingate of Conover, Shawna Mayfield of Statesville and Kayla Hawkins of Rougemont; great grandsons, Brandon Banks and Kennedy Jenkins, both of Hickory; great granddaughters, Destiny Wingate of Conover and Noelle Jenkins and Penelope Jenkins, both of Hickory; brother, Woodrow Hodges of Norwalk, CT; brothers-in-law, Walter (Dorothy) Patterson, Sr. of Hickory, and Herman Abel of Columbia, SC; sisters-in-law, Sadie Patterson, Annie Fernandez, and Cora Morrison, all of Hickory, Arrminta Derr of Silver Spring, MD, Celia Saylor of Atlanta, GA and Eartha Lou Hodges of Norwalk, CT; a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Dirk M. Thompson Mortuary is assisting the Patterson Family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Willie Patterson
Debra Wofford Moore
January 19, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. I just heard of Mrs. Patterson passing. She was my PE Coach in 1977. I have often thought of her especially when I go by the old HHS. May God be with you all at this time.
Cynthia Summey
January 19, 2010
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Ms. Willie Dean Patterson. She was my PE Coach in 1977 and a good lady. I recently ran into her and had a nice chat. I am so glad I did. My love and sympathy to you her family and friends.
Rev. Lenton/Pamela Rhodes
January 7, 2010
To the Saylor/Patterson Family:
Our Prayers, Sympathy and Love are extended to you in this your (our) dark hour at the loss of Sis. Dean. We pray that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ will comfort your hearts and give you peace.
Rev. Lenton & Pamela Rhodes and the entire church family at
Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church
Conover, NC
www.thomaschapel.org
Carmen Brown
January 6, 2010
It's hard to believe that we have lost such an amazing woman in our community. Mrs. Patterson will never be forgotten. Hold on to your wonderful memories, for they shall take you far. I remember as a child having her for PE. She instilled in me to always try your best and never quit. For that I am FOREVER thankful! My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Candace Carmichael
January 6, 2010
Buddy, Paula and Valerie, You have my deepest sympathy. I am sorry I was not able to attend the funeral. Know that Ms. Dean is with the Lord and that she touched the lives of many . May God bless and comfort your family.
Love always,
Candace L. Carmichael
January 5, 2010
Members of the Burke County Retired School Personnel who knew Dean through the district and state levels of NCAE/NCRSP are saddened by the loss of such a dedicated member of these professional organizations. You have our deepest sympathy. Jackie Ward, BCRSP President
Delphine, Stephen Jasmine Richardson
January 5, 2010
Buddy,Valerie and Paula,
I will always cherish my memories of Dean.Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Mary Snodgrass
January 5, 2010
Dear Dean, my steadfast friend, I will miss you. Child of God, rest you gently in the Lord.
Mary Ellen Snodgrass
Ann Sperry
January 5, 2010
My deepest sympathies to the Patterson family. I just saw the notice in the paper. I always loved Mrs. Patterson as a teacher. The last time I saw her was at the memorial service for my parents. She was so supportive to me and I'll miss seeing her smile. I know she will live in memories forever.
January 5, 2010
We wish to convey our deepest sympathies to the family and extend our thoughts and prayers
Rev. Michael Hester and family
Tia Flowers
January 5, 2010
I am so sorry for your loss. I will never forget how she embraced my family when we moved into the neighborhood. This is a tremendous loss for the Ridgeview community. Stay strong, we are all praying your strength...
Doris Wallace
January 5, 2010
I enjoyed my friendship with Dean. Hers is a great loss. Doris Wallace, retired HHS teacher.
Geraldine Shuford
January 4, 2010
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mitch Hungerpiller
January 4, 2010
Dear Paula,
I am so sorry to learn of your Mom's unexpected death. Please know that I wish you and all of your family Peace and Comfort with God's blessings during this difficult time. My dad was from Orangeburg too.
Kenneth W. McCorkle
January 4, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Julia Bunton Hunt
January 4, 2010
Paula, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your mom was such a sweetheart & made us all feel loved at school.I'll always remember her beautiful smile. I'm praying for your family's peace as you mourn her passing; but I rejoice in the fact that she is now in the presence of Jesus!
Dee Hall
January 4, 2010
I was a student of Mrs. Patterson at Hickory High School. She is one of the reasons I became a teacher. She was a patient, kind and caring teacher and person.
My condolences to her family.
karen Shade
January 4, 2010
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Pat Brooks
January 4, 2010
To the Patterson Family,
What a wonderful role model Mrs. Patterson was. One that was caring, loving, and nuturing . She will forever be alive in our hearts. Her smile is one that we will never forget. I pray that God will continue to comfort you and your family during this time.
God Bless You,
Pat Wingate Brooks
Cary Beth H. Cardwell
January 4, 2010
Dear Paula, I just saw this in the paper. I am so sorry. I don't know what to say. I know how you are feeling. It will be 10yrs in Feb. I lost my mama. I will miss getting my chicken pies from her at Oct fest. I always looked forward to seeing her. This past Oct. she had just left. So I did not get to see her. You are all in our prayers.
Rhoney
January 4, 2010
Dean was loved for all the wonderful "seeds" she sowed as a natural educator. Her gregarious laughter brighten the day of all who shared her joy. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
Robert l. Killian
January 4, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
G.L. DERR
January 4, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Robert L. Killian
January 4, 2010
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2009
Sue Travis
January 4, 2010
I served with Dean on committees and activities for NCAE and educational work. She was a wonderful, considerate person and I will miss her. You have my deepest sympathy. Sue Travis, Newton
January 4, 2010
Willie Dean Patterson was a great teacher, an empowered woman, and an awesome human being. Peace to her family , Janet Yoder Rego
Jerome Kelly
January 4, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
January 4, 2010
Paula,Kerry and Kayla
Keeping trusting in the Lord and he will give you guidance during this time.
Love
Dell, Pam, Derek and Family
Durham, NC
Jan White Cantrell
January 4, 2010
Sympathy to the Patterson family and friends from a former student.
January 4, 2010
Buddy, Paula and Valerie,
Just know that we feel your loss; just know that Dean was one of the finest pieces of weaving the GRAND WEAVER has ever woven; trust in Him and He will guide your every footstep.
Love You All,
Mildred, Stephanie and Latajah
(Mooresville, NC(
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