Rev. Alvin Benton Patton passed to his heavenly home at the age of 96. He was a member of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. He was a minister of God's gospel for 76 years. He was the pastor of nine different churches in Blount, Monroe, and Loudon counties. He preached revivals in 48 churches. Preacher Patton proclaimed God's Salvation Plan to thousands of people. Alvin saw hundreds of people accept Christ as Savior. He had the joy of baptizing hundreds of believers. No matter where he went, he witnessed to others and encouraged them to continue in their Christian life. Most of his prayers ended with this request: "Above all, Lord, please help me to be faithful to the end."

Preceded in death by his wife of 69 1/2 years, Bessie Cline Patton; children, Harold, Luella, and Olbin; parents, Alfred and Abbie Patton; his wife's parents, Willie and Cara Cline; brothers, Arvil Patton, Harley Patton, and Harvey Patton; sisters, Alta Eggers; and son-in-law, Winston Carroll.

Survivors include his daughters and sons in law, Bernice and V.J. Long and Linda and Ed Griffing all of Maryville; sons and daughters in law, Richard and Pat Patton of Ball Play and Calvin and Nancy Patton of Maryville; grandchildren, Stephanie and Ron Mills, Dwight Carroll, Shelda and Jeff Truelove, Jeff and Leah Patton and Whitney and Kurt Lindau; great grandchildren, Sarah Beth, Rachel, Amanda and Chris, Olivia, Eain, Orin, Elle and Molly; great great grandchildren, Winston, Darren, and Bryson; siblings, Ada Filben, James Patton, John Patton, Frank and Ruby Patton, Glen and Brenda Patton, Rose Brown and Charles and Ola Mae Patton; step grandchildren, Robert and Cynthia Long, Donnie and Victoria Bible, William and Jody Long, Jon and Betty Humphrey, Trey Griffing, Todd and Niki Norman and Corey Norman; step great grandchildren, Dana, Sam, Shawn, Allyson and J.D., Madison, Morgan, and Lilly; step great great grandchildren, Rachel, Lilly, Josh and Jackson and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 3, 2014, at Springview Baptist Church, with Brother Ben Ward and Rev. Jeff Patton officiating, interment to follow at Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Saturday, August 2, 2014, at Springview Baptist Church.