Mr. Joe Donald Patton

Funeral service for Mr. Joe Donald Patton will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 8, 2025, at Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home with Bro. David Freeman and Bro. Brandon Patton officiating. Interment Wilson County Memorial Gardens. Visitation Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 P.M. and Monday after 10:00 A.M. at Ligon & Bobo.

Mr. Patton, age 89 of Lebanon passed away September 4, 2025.

He was born in Wilson County on September 26, 1935, to the late Joseph Troy Patton and Gladys Chumley Patton. He was a 1955 graduate of Lebanon High School, and was a long time active member of First Baptist Church in Lebanon.

He worked for The Kroger Company for forty four years, starting at the age of sixteen as the lowest paid employee and worked his way up to be a manager. He loved telling folks that with hard work you can accomplish your dreams. He worked at locations in Lebanon, Hermitage, Murfreesboro, Crossville, Springfield, Columbia and Gallatin. He made many friends and mentored many employees for the company and received many awards along the way. He was well known for his integrity, work ethic and his motivational skills. He was not afraid to do the hard work, and relished in doing every job in the store, leading by example. He spent many more hours working than any other of the employees, and could often be found in the store after closing and on holidays to make sure everything was perfect for the customers. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife Margaret Christine Birdwell Patton.

He was well known in the community for his service with the Kiwanis, Gideons, Wilson County Sportsman's Club, Wilson County Beef Association, and Wilson County Fair Board. He loved feeding folks and well known for having outstanding fish fries that he did on many occasions for multiple events. His hobbies were farming, gardening, fishing and traveling. He traveled to many countries, independently, with the LLL, and the Senior Citizen Center and took over twenty cruises.

The most important things in his life were his faith in the Lord and his family

He is survived by his wife, Annie Sue Kolbe Whited Patton; daughter Judy Christine Patton (Bobby) Satterfield; two sons, Joe Sanford (Gina) Patton and Jeffrey Alan (Kathy) Patton; stepson, Derek (Alicia) Whited; stepdaughters, Luann Whited (Terry) Rosson and Lori Chaffin; sister, Sandra Jordan; five grandchildren: Amanda Patton (Travis) Peach, Matthew (Rayne) Satterfield, Brandon (Gina) Patton, Amy (Chad) Parker, and Jacob (Carysa) Patton; step grandchildren: Kelsey (Tyler) Filson, Chase (Jasmine) Meador, Dusty (Julie) Meador, Erika (Nathan) Story, and Lexy Chaffin; and 17 great grandchildren.

Pallbearers: Jacob Patton, Michael Jordan, Jonathan Jordan, Derek Whited, Terry Rosson, Travis Peach, Isaac Peach, Samuel Peach, and Chris Braach.