Norman D. Patterson

Norman Dwight Patterson of Pascagoula went home to be with his Lord on June 3, 2006. He was born in South Lowell, Alabama on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 1938. He celebrated his 67th birthday on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, 2005.

Mr. Patterson received his Bachelor of Science Degree and Master Degree in Education from Missississippi State University. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. After his service, he taught school in the Pascagoula School District and the Mobile County School District for a total of 39 years. He was a football, basketball and track coach at Colmer Middle School in Pascagoula. He was a former member of the Mississippi Education Association and an active member of First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, member of the Chancel and Senior Adult Choirs and was a Royal Ambassador Leader for several Years. He was also supportive of the Deaf Ministry.

Mr. Patterson was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.N. Patterson and two infant brothers.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Rachael; three sons, Dwight (Cindy) of Richardson, Texas, Craig of Moss Point and Bradley (Shannon) of Alpharetta, Ga.; seven grandsons and five grand-daughters; a sister, Wyladean Gallacher, of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; brother, Nathan of Scottsboro, Ala., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Monday, June 5, 2006, 6-8 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Pascagoula. Funeral Service will be Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Pascagoula with Dr. Rex Yancey, Rev. Dennis Ray Smith and Rev. Sam Jones officiating. Interment will follow at Jackson County Memorial Park with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Pascagoula or the American Cancer Society.

Pallbearers wil be Don Barron, Phil Guhl, Gary Holland, Pat Watts, John Wilkinson and Dennis Wood. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Deacons of First Baptist Church in Pascagoula.

Arrangements mady by O'Bryant-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula.