Maxie Allyne Patterson Sr

Maxie Allyne Patterson Sr. was born to late James and Helen Patterson on July 31, 1944 in Nashville, Tennessee. Maxie went to his eternal rest surrounded by family in his last hours on July 31, 2015, his 71st birthday, in Atlanta, Georgia, after a long and courageous fight of heart disease. He was a devoted, loving and obedient servant of God. Maxie accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized in 1958 at Jackson Street Church of Christ. Maxie was educated in the public school system in Nashville, Tennessee. He began his college career at Nashville Christian Institute and later attended Belmont University where he earned his Associate’s Degree in Business Management. Maxie was a dedicated family man and held his family very dear to his heart. He married Robbie E. Burns in 1965 and twin daughters and one son resulted from this union. Later he had a son with Darlene C. Woodward. He married Richie Petway Bridgeforth in 1988 and two sons resulted from this union. In 2000, he married his loving and devoted wife Tonya Gause Patterson and two daughters came into his life as a result of this union. Maxie was diligent and conscientious in all aspects of his career, excelling in several sales and managerial positions. He took an early retirement from Boise Cascade Corporation after 20 years of service in various senior positions in 1998. He later worked for Pilot Corporation as Southeast Region Sales Manager and relocated with the company to Marietta, Georgia in 1991. Other career employers include BellSouth Business Systems, Total Research and Replacement, US Motivation Corporation and most recently New Hope Enterprises. Maxie was not ashamed of the gospel and shared his fervent love for Christ with many. He acknowledged the grace and mercy of Christ as demonstrated in his many life blessings. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help” (Psalm 121:1) was one of many scriptures proclaimed by Maxie. Maxie was an active participant, a real doer, in church ministry throughout his life. He was a founding member and later served as a deacon at Amistad United Church of Christ in Marietta, Georgia, which church had beginnings as regular Bible study meetings in his home. Later Maxie became a member of The Messiah’s Temple Christian Ministries Church in Smyrna, Georgia, pastored by Rev. Nawanna Lewis Miller. Here, he met his wife Tonya and together they were ordained as deacons. Maxie enjoyed teaching bible study and evangelism classes at Messiah’s Temple. Maxie most recently was a member at Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia, pastored by Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Marcus. While at Turner Chapel, Maxie served in the Evangelism Ministry and passionately taught an evangelism class titled Share Jesus Without Fear. He is survived by his wife Tonya Gause Patterson; four sons: Maxie Allyne Patterson, Jr., Coronde Ware, Sean Alexander Patterson (Mederia), and Steven Elliott Patterson; four daughters: Lori Lucretia Patterson-Smith (Wayne), Lori Latasha Patterson-Lee (Spencer), Kwasi Gause Stanley (Paata), and Kayla Sledge; 16 grandchildren; brother Alvin Tolbert Patterson (Angela); sisters Mary L. Patterson, Roxie Patterson-Walker (Juan) Janice Patterson-Wallace, Deborah Smith-Brown (Kenneth); numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews; and a loving mother and father-in-law Ella Mae Gause and Sol Gause. The everlasting memory of his strength and faith will always be embedded in the hearts of all who knew him. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Through your expressions of kindness, understanding, prayers and words of comfort, the family of the late Maxie Allyne Patterson Sr. would like to thank you during their time of bereavement.

Maxie Allyne Patterson Sr

July 31, 1944 - July 31, 2015