Robert Patterson

God tenderly called His child, Robert Lee Patterson, from this earthly work to his heavenly home on
Saturday, November 18, 2023. Robert Lee, as he was affectionately called by his siblings, was the
youngest son and the youngest child of twelve to the late Beatrice Robinson Patterson and the late
Jasper William Patterson.
Deacon Patterson attended and graduated from Compact Elementary and High School. He also joined
and was baptized at Mt. Olive Baptist Church at an early age. Being active in school and church were
important to the Patterson family. As a result, Robert played basketball at Compact High and sang in the
choir at school and church. After graduating from high school in 1953, Deacon Patterson attended
Morgan State College (now Morgan State University) in Baltimore, Maryland. Upon leaving Morgan, he
joined the U.S. Army. Upon serving his tour in the military, Deacon Patterson migrated to Newark, New
Jersey. In 1957, he met his true love, Annie Ruth. They married and as a young married couple, both
played a great role in the lives of all of Annie Ruth’s siblings. In 1959, the couple welcomed their only
son, Spencer.
Hard work was the fabric of Deacon Patterson’s life. He was employed at Hillside Metal and as Head of
Maintenance at Caldwell College in the early years. Later he joined the cosmetic industry working at
Revlon and retiring from Charles of the Ritz. Retiring from one career simply was an opportunity for
Robert Lee to explore “fun jobs”. Before leaving New Jersey, he drove for a private local limousine
service.
In 1998, Deacon Patterson accompanied by his wife, returned to the Patterson homestead to enjoy their
twilight years. Three years later, their precious granddaughter, Sahira, joined them in the home. What a
joy! Returning to his roots was important. He restored and maintained his religious affiliation with Mt.
Olive Baptist Church and was ordained as a Deacon. He was very involved in the life of his church.
There are special people in our lives who never leave us, even when they are gone. So it is with our
father, our grandfather, our uncle, our friend Robert Lee Patterson. Truly, he was a loving, caring, and
dedicated man of God. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Annie Ruth, his parents, and all of
his siblings: Theodore, Curlee, Jasper II, Virginia, Sylvannah, Saphronia, Eugene, Katherine, Hester,
Alphonzo, and Bernard.
He is survived by his son, Spencer Patterson of the home; two grandchildren: Sahira Patterson of Kings
Mountain, NC, and Rahim Jackson (Takisha) of Cedar Knolls, NJ; great grandchildren: Kamar Jackson of
Hillside, NJ; Sahmir Patterson and Nalaiya Sanders of Kings Mountain, NC; nieces, nephews, and a host of
relatives and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Robert Patterson, please visit our floral store.