Lynn Patten

Lynn Chapin Patten, 89, died peacefully at home on Thursday, July 23, 2015. The daughter of Edward Young Chapin Jr. and Dorris Carter Chapin, who predeceased her, she was the sister of the late Edward Young Chapin III and Dorris Chapin Wells. She was the widow of The Rev. William Thomas Patten. Growing up on Lookout Mountain, she enjoyed playing sports with friends and family, and as a teenager she competed successfully city-wide in badminton tournaments. Throughout life, she put up a badminton net wherever she lived. A graduate of Girls Preparatory School and Hollins College, she worked briefly at The Bright School where among other duties she enjoyed the position of "sleeping teacher" for the kindergarteners. When she and Billy married, they built a home on Lookout Mountain and started a family. Lynn loved Lookout Mountain and would never have left had her husband not been called to the Episcopal priesthood. They served several churches in Tennessee and north Georgia, and in each place she created a home and spread her love of flowers and gardening. Lynn was active at Good Shepherd Church on Lookout Mountain and in the Junior League of Chattanooga. She served on the board of directors of the Cumberland Mountain Learning Disabilities Center Inc. and was instrumental in the founding of the Sewanee Learning Center. She was also a devoted member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross. Frederick Buechners book of meditations, "Listening to Your Life," was a daily companion, and she gave away many copies. Lynns well-worn dictionary is a testament to her love of words. "Lets look that word up!" she would often say. One word that comes to mind when thinking about Lynn is Grace. She was a graceful person in so many ways and so easy to talk to. Another is Steadfastness. She valued the important things in life and she affirmed to the core whatever she believed in. Her faith in God and her family were foremost in her life, and she loved her family unconditionally. Selflessly she nurtured, lifted up, and sustained each member. Her children survive her: Mary (Mac) Priestley, George (Shana) Patten, Tom (Kathy) Patten, Anne Patten, and Dorris (John) Shober. She delighted in her grandchildren to whom she was affectionately known as "Muzzy," including Bill (Dawn) Priestley, Thomas Priestley, Patten (Joe) Mahler, Margaret Patten, George Patten, Ryan Williams, Kelsey Williams, John Patten, Daniel (Emily) Patten, Sarah Beairsto, Peter Beairsto, Juney Shober band Timothy Shober; and two great-grandchildren, Liam Patten and Will Mahler. This sweet and loving lady grew old with grace, and she continued her ministry of quiet support and care for those who surrounded her. The family deeply appreciates the love given to her by caregivers Sheila Harwood, Karen Swoyer, Kay Prigmore, Karen Blanco and Dawn Martin, and the support given to her and her family by Hospice of Chattanooga. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. today, July 27, at St. Pauls Episcopal Church. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be in Forest Hills Cemetery. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Memorial gifts may be made to the Orange Grove Center, 615 Derby Street, Chattanooga, TN 37404, or the charity of your choice. Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family. Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Rd.