Benjamin Daniel Patterson, Sr., was born July 22, 1916, in Center, MS; the youngest of 14 children to William and Roxie Patterson.

He was reared and received his primary education in Center, MS; and later attended Atlanta Training School in Kosciusko, MS.

During World War II, Benjamin became an automobile mechanic, a skill he learned through the old-fashioned apprenticeship manner of training. Later, Benjamin worked as an Aircraft Assembler for Lockheed-Martin for more than 20 years until his retirement in 1980. He was a dedicated, reliable, conscientious employee who took great pride in his work. Ben proudly shared his role in the making of such aircraft as the L10-11, the SR71 Reconnaissance plane, and a number of other commercial and military aircraft.

Benjamin's dedication to outreach and recovery was phenomenal. He spent countless hours during the 27 years counseling, advising, and "helping" recovery groups, which included St. Odella Fellowship and the 34th Street Fellowship. It was important for Ben to see progress in the men and women he counseled... getting their lives together. The dedication to seeing lives healed was matched only by his devotion to his wife, Rever and his family. Ben loved "projects" and was always working on a project. He also enjoyed repairing things and could fix anything ... or "supervise" the repair. Ben liked to "supervise" or "run things."

Ben will always be remembered for the special qualities he personally shared: Honesty, Resourcefulness, Wisdom, Wit (a keen sense of humor) and his Faith. He loved people, he loved to talk, and to share his special wisdom, cultivated by decades of life experience. One of his greatest accomplishments was when he gave his life to the Lord and Allowed Jesus to become the savior of his life! Ben was a faithful member of Wadsworth Church of God.

We who loved Ben Patterson are truly sad that he has departed from us. We will miss him dearly, but our grief is lessened by the assurance that he is at peace and in the arms of the Lord.

Benjamin Patterson, Sr., leaves to cherish his memory: His Devoted and Loving Wife Rever, his children: Benjamin Patterson, Jr., (Geralyn), Mildred Patterson-Adolphus (Adam), Wendell Patterson, Dr. (Lorraine), Valerie Patterson, Francianna Patterson, Ronald Patterson, and was preceded in death by Anthony Patterson and Luvel Patterson-Williams. He also leaves his new loving family (his wife's sons and daughters) whom he accepted into his heart: Willie Fort (Freddie), Rita Ford (Charles), Joe Fort, and Mattie Fort, and the following children he accepted as his own from previous marriages: Sarah Tatum, Stanley Nelson, Bernetta Mourning (Kevin), and Lenora Morris (John). A host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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