Gleaning Facebook: Tony Patterson

This is a picture of the "little boy" who died at 55 in an ambulance wreck recently. Here Tony eats an ice cream from a trip to Kays Kastle Ice Cream shop in Rome with me and several other students. I don't remember why these kids had earned a special treat.

It has been an absolute joy to reconnect with some of these kids by way of Facebook over the years, but then something like this brings heartbreak.

Here is the obituary from Henderson and Sons Funeral Home:

Mr. Tony Marion Patterson, age 55, of Rome, passed away Friday, June 16, 2017.

            Mr. Patterson was born in Rome, GA on June 13, 1962, son of Jack Edward Patterson and the former Shirley Lambert.  Prior to his becoming disabled, he was employed as a driver with Yellow Cab Company.  He was a member of Coosa Valley Praise and Worship where he served as the church pianist.  An avid musician, Mr. Patterson also enjoyed singing, and playing guitar and drums.

            Survivors include his wife, the former Deborah Pace, to whom he was married on November 28, 2013; 4 daughters, Tonya Warren, Summerville, Tera Jones, and her husband, Greg, Naomi, GA, Melody Patterson, Rome, and Ashley Ratliff, and her husband, Donald, Silver Creek; 3 sons, Danny Mayfield, and his wife, Jennifer, Centre, AL, Johnathan Mayfield, Rome, and Isaac Mayfield, Rome; his parents, Jack and Shirley Patterson, Rome; 3 sisters, Lori Sturgeon, and her husband, John, Rome, Wendy Jenkins, and her husband, Willie, Swainsboro, and Erika Seale, and her husband, Julian, Copperas Cove, TX; a brother, Wesley Patterson, Rome; 6 grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive.

            Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at 3pm in the Chapel at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel.  The Rev. Steve Kelley will officiate.  Following the service, Mr. Patterson will be cremated in accordance with his wishes.

            The family will receive friends at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, on Thursday from 1pm until the service hour.  At other times, they may be contacted at their respective residences.

            Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, North Chapel, has charge of the funeral arrangements.