Christie Patterson

Christie Lamar Patterson, Jr., age 70, of Athens and formerly of Valdosta, died on Wednesday, October 7, 2015, at Athens Regional Medical Center after a valiant fight to recover from cardiac arrest on October 2nd.
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, February 21, 1945, to the late Christie Lamar Patterson, Sr. and Margaret Campbell Patterson, Christie graduated from Valdosta High School and attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Order, serving the chapter as Number 1 his senior year. Through the years, he continued to meet the KA brothers in Atlanta regularly for lunch and tall tale telling at Jason's Deli.
Christie's parents raised him in the fellowship of First Presbyterian Church of Valdosta where he was active in many youth programs. As an adult, he served the church in leadership positions and was treasurer for over 25 years. After moving to Athens in 2008, he joined Athens First Presbyterian Church where he continued to serve our Lord and became a member of the Session. Christie was on the board of the UGA Presbyterian Student Center where he served as Treasurer. He loved God and his church families in Valdosta and in Athens and at the UGA Presbyterian Student Center.
Christie loved and was devoted to his family - making family fun, family time and family dinner a priority. He delighted in his sons, their activities, and accomplishments through their high school and university careers and was always their #1 fan! He cherished spending time with his grandchildren - working in the yard, swimming, watching their baseball games, flag football games, and other sports activities. Infected with the "Emeril Syndrome," Christie loved sharing "new, wonderful" recipes with his sons, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters, too.
He was a first string offensive guard for the Valdosta High School Wildcats National Championship team in 1962. The bond with this team and the VHS Wildcats continued throughout his life.
Christie began his career with his father in the family shoe business, Patterson-Jones Shoes in downtown Valdosta. Over many years this business grew to include five stores with locations in Valdosta, Brunswick, and Statesboro. He went on to work in sales in paper and plastic supplies. In every business venture he earned high regard and respect from all his customers.
Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Sue Ellen McElroy Patterson of Athens; two sons and daughters-in- law, Stephen Alexander Patterson and Kate Meyer Patterson of Valdosta; Emory Garrett Patterson and Lauren Zeagler Patterson of Athens; a step daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Jeff Schnaak of St. Augustine, Florida; six grandchildren, Ellen, Campbell and Griffin Patterson of Valdosta, William, Elizabeth and David Patterson of Athens; four step grandchildren, Ashley, Shelley, Clint and Lindsey; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Nancy and Louis Stone of Clemson, South Carolina, Margaret and Phil Mittiga of Valdosta, as well as a host of extended family.
A celebration of life service for Christie Patterson will be held at Valdosta First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 1 p.m., led by Dr. Glenn Doak, Senior Pastor of Athens First Presbyterian Church. The visitation with family and friends will be on Friday, October 9, 2015 from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Carson McLane Funeral Home in Valdosta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Presbyterian Homes of Georgia, Caring Hand's Fund, 3675 Crestwood Parkway, Suite 370, Duluth, GA 30096 or to Presbyterian Campus Ministries, 1250 S. Lumpkin St., Athens, GA 30606. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares. com. Carson McLane Funeral Home is serving the family. - See more at: http://www.mclanefuneralservices.com/obituary/Christie-Lamar-Patterson-Jr./Athens-GA/1550292#sthash.kCKdGxfb.dpuf