Ms. Paulette M. Patterson

The family of Paulette M. Patterson, age 70, announces her passing which occurred on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at her home with her family by her side. Paulette was born on May 19, 1949 in Durham County. A graduate of the '67 class of Merrick Moore, Paulette was a part of a close-knit group of friends who enjoyed each other's company. After graduation, Paulette enrolled in Durham Community College. While at Duke University Hospital for 35 years, Paulette worked on several units to provide administrative support for the hospital staff. In 2004, she retired from Duke. Not ready to be fully retired, Paulette returned to Duke in a similar role. Paulette began her walk with Christ at an early age. At Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Paulette served as an usher, participated in Sunday School, Baptist Training Union (BTU), in several choirs and managed the church's social media platform. In 2019, she was honored as the longest serving president of the Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church Gospel Choir. We remember fondly her silky, smooth voice as one of the lead singers in the Mr. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church Gospel Choir. To name a few...."God Specializes", "More and More Like Jesus", "Just a Few Things", "Through It All" and especially "Hiding Place". We remember her tiny little hand lifted in praise. There were a lot of things that Paulette loved, especially her son, Kelvin Earl. Paulette did not let Kelvin's unique way of doing things dissuade her from providing the best life for him. Just the mention of Paulette's name brought the biggest smile on Kelvin's face. On last Friday, as Kelvin was leaving for the day, mom heard Paulette call out "Good bye Kelvin" for the last time. We will miss the text messages to remind us to pay our deposit for family trips by a certain date (or be deleted from the list). We will miss her quiet, attentive ear. We will miss "Go for it! You can do it!" We'll miss seeing her sitting quietly in the big red chair in mom's living room on her iPad or phone. We will miss dancing to Frankie Beverly's "Before I Let You Go." We'll miss "trash talking" about Duke-Carolina basketball! We love you, Paulette! Paulette leaves to cherish her memories her son, Kelvin Earl Patterson; mother, Lillie P. Watson; three sisters, Edna P. Mitchell (Dwight), Tammy Williams and Michelle Seymour (Rodney); two brothers, Thomas Patterson (Rose) and Samuel Watson (Robin); one uncle, Robert Patterson; one aunt, Ethel Patterson; and a host of other relatives and friends. A Service of Celebration has been scheduled for Saturday, February 1, 2020, at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, 5222 Mount Sinai Road, Durham, North Carolina 27705. The family will assemble for a visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by the celebration service, at 11:30 respectively, with Reverend Harold Timberlake delivering the eulogy. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.

Ms. Paulette M. Patterson

May 19, 1949 - January 25, 2020