Kirby Martin Patterson

Kirby Patterson, a faith-
ful servant of the Lord,
was lifted into the king-
dom of heaven on Jan. 15,
2026.
Kirby was born on Dec.
12, 1985, in Toccoa, Ga. He
was the beloved son of Dr.
Rex and Sheila Patterson.
Kirby had an older broth-
er, Chip, and a younger
sister, Meg Ruth.
Kirby was born with a
spark that allowed him to
connect with people in a
very special way. Kirby
was a natural comedian
and spoke from the heart
in every situation. If you
have ever wondered if
something should be said-
Kirby would have already
said it. He was like his
Grandma Pansy in this
way. He was the most hon-
est and authentic person
you can imagine.
Kirby's childhood was a
wonderful journey. Grow-
ing up he enjoyed so many
fun hours of play in his
happy family. First Bap-
tist Church of Toccoa was
his second home. From
Sunday morning and Sun-
day night, to RA's and chil-
dren and youth choir, to
big Wednesday night sup-
pers and youth retreats. If
the doors of the church
were open, he was there
with his entire family. He
had many fun times racing
his brother Chip through
the upstairs hallways
when the adults weren't
looking.
Another of Kirby's very
special places was under
the big shade trees of the
little league field on Doyle
Street. There were sum-
mer days where it felt like
the sun had no desire to
set, and you would find
Kirby and his buddies
playing until their moms
corralled them into the
cars. Between his main
team, the Rockies, and his
All-Star teams, he devel-
oped many lifelong friend-
ships. These were trea-
sured summers for both
Kirby and his family.
Kirby's next great love
in childhood came when
the weather turned cooler
in the fall and trucks got
loaded for camping trips.
Boy Scouts was a true love
for Kirby. Scouts provided
an avenue for Kirby and
his best friends to have ad-
ventures and sort through
life together. Enroute to
becoming an Eagle Scout,
Kirby and his friends ex-
plored the Okefenokee
Swamp, many sections of
the Appalachian Trail,
years of summer camps,
trips out West, and most
importantly countless
weekend trips around
northeast Georgia where
all he needed was a camp-
fire and friends.
Kirby excelled in aca-
demics and sports
throughout middle and
high school. He loved base-
ball, basketball, and ten-
nis. He chose tennis to fo-
cus on throughout high
school and led his team to
several deep state playoff
runs.
Kirby continued his ed-
ucation at Young Harris
College, Georgia College in
Milledgeville, Augusta
University, and Piedmont
College. He achieved a
masters in education and
was most recently pursu-
ing another masters in
counselling.
Kirby would tell you
that the most important
moment of his life came in
adulthood. The Lord inter-
vened in Kirby's life when
he was 36 in such a pro-
found way that Kirby dedi-
cated his life to Christian
ministry. Kirby was on
the full-time staff at the
Victory Home as program
coordinator. He lived on
campus and committed
each day to bringing men
closer to healing and
Christ. The Lord used Kir-
by's ability to speak and
connect with other men to
further the kingdom of
Heaven. This was Kirby's
truest and greatest calling.
His entire life was in
preparation for this wor-
thy mission. Kirby loved
the Lord and loved the
people around him.
Kirby will be remem-
bered for his well-timed
humor and ability to touch
others. Kirby's fire and
passion was contagious,
and you were always gift-
ed with a smile and friend-
ly laugh when he was
nearby. Kirby will serve
as a mighty soldier in the
Lord's army in heaven.
Kirby is precededin
death by his grandad OB
Patterson and grandpar-
ents Pansy and Lonie Mar-
tin. He is survived by his
parents Dr. Rex and Sheila
Patterson, of Toccoa, Ga.
He is also survived by his
very special brother Dr.
Chip Patterson and his
wife Dr. Eleanor Patter-
son, of Watkinsville, Ga.;
and his precious little sis-
ter Dr. Meg Ruth Patter-
son Ferdos and husband
Dr. Mark Ferdos, of De-
morest, Ga. He is also sur-
vived by his seven darling
nieces; who he loved dear-
ly. Avie Patterson, Ember
Patterson, Leland Patter-
son, Peyton Patterson,
Louvie Ferdos, Hazel Fer-
dos, and Georgie Ferdos.
He is survived by grand-
mother also Annie Ruth
Weaver Patterson, aunt
Patti Patterson, of Toccoa,
and uncle Brett Patterson
and his wife Ginger, of Ma-
con, Ga.
Funeral services will be
Thursday Jan. 22, 2026, at
2 p.m. at First Baptist
Church of Toccoa with the
Rev. David Ritcey and the
Rev. Dr. Ben Huff officiat-
ing. The following gentle-
men will serve as pallbear-
ers, Dr. Chip Patterson,
Davis Swenson, Dr. Mark
Ferdos, Craig Lawson,
Jose Juan Garcia, Duane
Yonce, and Reed Jones.
The family received
friends at the Acree-Davis
funeral home, located at 90
S. Pond St., on Wednesday,
Jan. 21, 2026, from 4-7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, dona-
tions may be made to First
Baptist of Toccoa, 475 E.
Tugalo Street, Toccoa,
Georgia 30577 in honor of
Kirby.
Interment will be in the
Stephens Memorial Gar-
dens with Acree-Davis Fu-
neral Home and Cremato-
ry in charge of the ar-
rangements for Kirby
Martin Patterson.