Willie Patterson

Published 12:36 pm Monday, July 11, 2022

Rev. Willie Patterson’s funeral Service was held Saturday, July 9, 2022, from

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the

Bedgood Cemetery, Greenville, Alabama. Rev. Kenny Ransaw officiated and

Hudson Funeral Service directed.

Rev Willie Patterson, a native of Rutledge, Alabama was born September 22, 1922 to

the late Clarence and Lou (Whittle) Patterson. Preceded in death by his

parents, his sister, Athel Lee Smith, brothers, Ewing and Henry L Patterson.

He and his siblings were raised by their maternal grandmother, Ida Whittier,

famously known, Ms. Coot. He attended the local school, worked on the farm,

and joined Bethlehem Baptist Church. He served in the Army, as a cook,

during WWII.

Returning home, he met Lola Bell Crenshaw and they married in November 1947.

Short time later, they started their family of twelve children; two daughters died in

infancy.

Jobs were scarce in Alabama, so friends and family suggested going

to Niagara Falls, New York. There he found work, then sometime later sent for his family.

Willie was an avid hunter, fisherman and farmer. He enjoyed most sports

baseball, basketball and football. He became member of Trinity Baptist

Church, where he served as deacon and superintendent of Sunday School.

He also serviced as a community activist for several years.

Rev. Willie Met and married Doris Rodgers in 1983, they traveled and thoroughly enjoyed being

together, until her death in 2019.

Willie leaves three daughters, Rutha W, Rosie T & Lola P. Patterson and four sons,

Willie C, Willie L (Jackie), Johnnie and Robert L. Patterson. Predeceased by

daughters, Mary P Buckner, Rosie L P. Sanders and Gloria P. Brunson; 25 grandchildren, numerous great- grandchildren and great, great-grandchildren; step children, Mary Kelly, Sandra Moore, Robert, Dwight and Thomas Cowan; a host of relatives and very special friends.