Herman L. Patterson

Herman L. Patterson, 96, of Raeford, NC (formerly of Eden) peacefully passed away at his home on Saturday, August 25, 2012.

A funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, September 1, at Spray Primitive Baptist Church, 207 Dameron Street in Eden. Burial will follow in Overlook Cemetery.

Herman was born July 28, 1916 in Leaksville, NC, son of the late Baylor Cephus and Bertha Lee Patterson. He resided in Leaksville prior to joining the Stuckey's Company and moving to Clovis, NM in 1962. Following retirement in 1982, he moved to Raeford, NC. He later became pastor of the Spray Primitive Baptist Church in Eden and remained in that positoin until 2003.

Herman is survived by his wife of 74 years, Bessie Joyce Patterson; son, Lindsay Patterson and wife, Judy of Borger, TX; daughter, Linda McLeod and husband, Benny of Raeford, NC; son, Joseph Patterson and wife, Gwynn of Sierra Vista, AZ. Also surviving are seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren."There are lots of stories I will remember about Papa Patterson, but one of my favorites will always be the time he took David and I on a roadtrip through California, Arizona and New Mexico. One morning he asked what we wanted for breakfast, and thinking we were smart, we asked for Coca-Cola and Donuts ... a kid's breakfast of champions of course! To our surprise, Papa said OK and we proceeded to wolf down all the soda and donuts we could muster before he called us on it, but he never interrupted. Not too long afterwards we started feeling kinda sick, and not quite as smart. Papa never gave us a hard time about it, and we never asked for Coca-Cola and Donuts again ... at least not in combination!:)"

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Bobby, Russell and Nelson; and two sisters, Daisy Bousman and Pauline Price.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday (12 noon to 1PM) at Spray Primitive Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com