Jerry Patterson

Jerry Patterson (85) of Springville, Alabama, husband of Sara Hazel Satterfield, died peacefully at home in Springville, Alabama, surrounded by his family on December 19, 2022. Jerry and his wife Sara are the proud parents of sons, Lee Patterson (Brandi) of Homewood, Alabama, and Jon Patterson (Ashley) of Vestavia Hills, Alabama and daughter, Kate Henderson (Jay) of Kennesaw, Georgia. Jerry was blessed with nine grandchildren: Taylor Patterson, Ann Huett Patterson, Millie Patterson, Eli Patterson, Gavin Patterson, Noah Patterson, Alex Patterson, Ellie Henderson, and Hazel Henderson. To his children and his grandchildren, Jerry was known as "Pop". Jerry was born in his childhood home in Ensley, Alabama, the son of an auto mechanic. Jerry was the youngest of six siblings and the first in his family to attend college. At a young age, Jerry moved from Ensley to Verbena, Alabama and graduated from Verbena High School. Jerry was honorably discharged from the Army in 1965. He attended Howard College (now Samford University) and graduated in 1964, majoring in English. While at Howard College, he was a member of the Drama Club, Howard Intercollegiate Debate Team, Student Government Association and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. After Howard College, he began his career in public education, teaching at Hueytown High School. He continued post graduate studies receiving post graduate degrees from The University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB), the University of Kentucky and the University of Alabama, where he received his PhD in Administration in 1976. Jerry went to work at UAB in 1972. He worked for both the University and the Hospital for over 20 years, retiring from University of Alabama Hospital in 1993, where he served as the Director of Education and Training of the University of Alabama Hospital from 1980-1993. Jerry loved UAB and it was at UAB that he met his future wife, Sara Hazel. Jerry and Sara were married in December of 1974 and would have celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary on December 28th. After retiring from University Hospital, Jerry continued to teach full time and thereafter as an adjunct professor at Birmingham Southern College and in the School of Health-Related Professions at UAB, where his wife Sara worked for 35 years. Jerry even served as the Principal of Ashville High School in the St. Clair County School system for a couple of years. Jerry's decades of experience in public education and hospital administration led him to be a sought-after public speaker and consultant. Jerry spoke to a variety of public and private businesses, trade groups, school organizations and hospital associations throughout the United States, Canada, and the West Indies. Jerry was an entertainer, a communicator, and a gifted storyteller. He was at home on a stage and talking to people, harkening back to his theater and debate days at Howard College. Some of his favorite past times included serving as the Master of Ceremonies of the annual Miss Springville Pageant and acting in the Springville Community Theater in stage productions including South Pacific, Oklahoma, and Wizard of Oz. Jerry was a long-time member of Springville First United Methodist Church, where he sang in the church choir, served as a trustee, and devoted countless hours serving his church family for more than 30 years. The Patterson family held a service in remembrance in honor of the life of Jerry Patterson on January 7, 2023, at Springville First United Methodist Church. The family received visitors beginning at 2:00 pm with a service to follow at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a charitable financial donation in Jerry's memory to The Prescott House Child Advocacy Center, 1730 14th Ave S., Birmingham AL 35205 or the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center. The family would also like to recognize and express their most sincere gratitude to the staff and employees of Comfort Care Hospice for their care of Jerry over the past four months. In particular, the family would like to thank Mary Hollis, RN who was Jerry's primary caregiver and who was present with the family on December 19, 2022. In addition, the family expresses their gratitude to all of Jerry's medical providers, including Dr. Steven Stair, MD of The Kirklin Clinic Internal Medicine.