This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RonCollins10 Surnames: Patterson, Durham, Johnson, Martin, Fix, Williams, Pendry, Brooks, Hoots Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.northcarolina.counties.yadkin/4534/mb.ashx Message Board Post: EAST BEND - Johnnie Avalon Patterson, joined his Lord and Savior on September 6, 2010. He was born February 6, 1935, in East Bend to the late Paul Wesley and Sally Durham Patterson. After working for 33 years with Swisher International serving as Regional Manager, he retired in 1997. During his years of work, he also served as a Sunday School teacher for Vienna Baptist Church and Shallowford Baptist Church. Johnnie Patterson was an avid golfer and believed that a bad day on the golf course was better than a good day at work. He thoroughly enjoyed his days playing golf as well as the many good friends he made on the course. In addition to golf, he enjoyed baseball. After playing baseball in the fields near his home, he played high school baseball for East Bend, and was a fan of the Braves and the Cardinals John was also a family man. He believed that children should be in close contact with their parents and with each other. He was also a firm believer in prayer and shared wi! th others how God had generously blessed his life. John is survived by his wife, Shirley Johnson Martin Patterson; three children, Sherry (Steve) Fix East Bend, NC, Johnnie Avalon (Donna) Patterson, Jr. of Fort Mill, SC, Tonya (Andy) Williams of Roanoke, TX; three step-children, Vickie Martin (Dick Evans) of Palo Alto, CA, Lang (Cherie) Martin of Pawley's Island, SC, Lisa (Ronnie) Pendry of Boonville, NC; seven grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, and two great- grandchildren. John is also survived by his brother, Wayne "Shorty" (Peggy) Patterson, and sister, Yvonne (Don) Brooks and dear friends, Vernon and Jackie Hoots. The family will receive friends at Huff Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.. The funeral service will be held at Richmond Hill Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, with the Reverend Will Hamric officiating, followed by an interment service at Stony Knoll United Methodist Church in East Bend. Memorials may be made to the Richmond Hi! ll Baptist Church Building Fund, 2205 Richmond Hill Church Road, Boonv ille, NC 27011. Published in Winston-Salem Journal on September 8, 2010 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.