Steven Patterson

1952 - 2020

Steven Patterson
October 28, 1952 - December 30, 2020
Beaufort, South Carolina - Edwin Steven "Bubba" Patterson, husband of Lynn Patterson, passed away at Beaufort Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, surrounded by his family. Steve had a long, courageous battle with health issues, which began with a car accident several years ago.
Steve was born in Beaufort on October 28, 1952, five minutes after his twin brother, Allen Patterson. Allen and Steve were the oldest of Mary and Skeet Patterson's five children. Steve always had a large group of close friends. In high school Steve enjoyed surfing, lifeguarding at Hunting Island State Park, and hosting many late-night parties at his parent's beach cottage, as well as Fred Knight's cottage at the village. He and his brother Allen also hosted an untold number of "social events" at their garage "night-club" located behind the family residence on Bay Street. The twins were very avid Civil War memorabilia collectors, always digging out recently discovered privies, abandoned dumps, and other forgotten spots around Beaufort to find musket balls, uniform buttons, cannon balls, china, and other Civil War era items. Steve loved to collect antiquities and spent many hours searching the banks of many small hummocks, fields, islands, and other areas, finding a large number of Indian shards, arrowheads, and other artifacts.
After finishing up college at the Citadel and the University of South Carolina, Steve returned to Beaufort in 1976 and worked with Patterson Construction. He was a third-generation Beaufort builder, following his grandfather, Joe Allen Patterson, and his father Skeet Patterson. After his father's death, Steve took over the family construction business, completing over a period of 45 years, hundreds of residential and commercial projects in the local Beaufort area. Steve had a strong community ethic, and worked on countless civic projects over the years, including the Boys and Girls Club, Green Street Gym, St Helena Church, Beaufort Memorial, and many Beaufort County projects. He was a member of the St. Helen Church and the Beaufort Yacht Club. His most endearing trait was his big heart, and he never hesitated to help any organization, friend, or stranger out with any assistance they needed, no matter the circumstances. He never turned down a request for help.
Steve loved Beaufort and everything it had to offer, especially hunting, fishing, and spending time on the river. He was involved in building and constructing many fish camps on our barrier islands, including Pritchard's Island, Capers Cats, Old House camps, and his last camp on Story River. He really enjoyed being a long-time member of the "prestigious" fish camp on Pritchard's Island. At the annual Jelly-Q at Pritchard's, Steve for years provided "Bubba's Beans", which were always one of the highlights of the event—along with lots of adult beverages, cards, and dice. The beans were a bit spicy, as was the chef. He was a very experienced inshore angler, having fished just about every creek and inlet in the area. He was quick with tales of one of his previous fishing adventures that somehow were just a little better (Okay—sometimes a whole lot better) than your last "successful" trip. There was not a fishing spot you fished that he had not already been to and fished.
Steve had an unofficial role in town as a Beaufort Premier news reporter, whether you wanted it reported or not. He knew what was going on, and being a generous person, was willing to share. Not only could he report the news, but he could also give insightful editorial commentary and lots of detailed background information as well. The news was a bargain, as there was plenty of it and it was free.
Steve has reached his final destination and has had a little time to talk to the head folks up there. They are all up to speed on what's going on down here now. Good news for most of us and more than a little concern for a few. You know who you are. Saint Peter will explain it when you get there.
Steve is survived by his wife Lynn of 32 years, a daughter Cecelia "Cole" Pelosi (James, son Dominic), a son, Lee, and his three brothers Allen (Julie), Merritt (Joan), and Russell (Libby). He was preceded in death by his sister, Sandra Patterson Watts.
The family will receive friends on Monday January 4, 2021 from 2 to 5 pm at Anderson Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at the St. Helena cemetery on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 11:00am.
The family will accept flowers, or donations can be made to the Parish Church of St. Helena, P. O. Box 1043, Beaufort SC, or online at http://sthelenas1712.org/