Claude Patterson

SLYGO Claude Newton Patterson, 87, passed away at his home in Slygo on Tuesday, May 29, 2012.Claude was born April 23, 1925 in Millstone, Ky., but he moved to Slygo as a child and lived there for most of the remainder of his life. Claude served in the Pacific on a US Navy destroyer during World War II. He worked as a Kentucky coal miner before moving back to Slygo where he was a bus driver for the Dade County School System for many years. He was a member of American Legion Post 106. He enjoyed attending the North Dade Community Center Opry regularly. He attended Slygo United Methodist Church.He was preceded in death by his parents, John S and Pearl Goins Patterson; brother, Benton Patterson; and sister, Hazel Moore.He is survived by sons, Mark Patterson, Trenton, Eric Patterson, Whitesburg, Ky., Allen Patterson, Wise, Va.; daughter, Deborah Lackert, Weems, Va.; sister, Nancy Mullins, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Bethlehem Cemetery Fund c/o Carolyn Moore, 199 Red Moore Road, Trenton, Ga., or Hutcheson Hospice, 100 Mitchell Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.A graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 1, at Bethlehem Cemetery in Slygo with the Rev. Vernon Windom officiating.Visit www.RyanFuneralHome.net to share memories and condolences.The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. today, May 31 at Ryan Funeral Home, Trenton.