Dorothy Ann Carlton Patterson

Dorothy Ann Carlton Patterson beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend went home to be with her Lord on December 9, 2022.  She was 95 years of age.  At last, she was completely restored in body and mind after several years of declining health.  Her children imagine she was joyfully welcomed by her husband, parents and brothers who went before her. What a glorious reunion it must have been. 

Dorothy was born in Commerce, Georgia on November 23, 1927, to Angus Dewey “Ank” Carlton, Sr. and Elizabeth Mae Nixon.  Her childhood was spent on Forrest Avenue in Toccoa, and it was a joyous time full of adventures and friends.  Later the family moved to Currahee Mountain.

Dorothy graduated from Toccoa High School in 1945 and soon thereafter attended and graduated from Perry Business School in Gainesville, Georgia.  After the end of WWII, Dorothy was introduced to Rhuel Dennis Patterson by his sister and their life-long love story began.  They were married on October 26, 1947, and remained married for 74 years until Rhuel’s death in October 2021.  Truly theirs was a match made in heaven. They eventually moved to Gainesville and for 67 years lived in their home on Enota Avenue.  There Dorothy and Rhuel created a home of love and security for their family.  She supported her children in all their school, church and community activities and served as grade mother at Enota Elementary School, scout leader, GA advisor and all round cheerleader.  Her children recall the happiest of childhoods. 

For the better part of her career, Dorothy worked for Lee Waldrip Realty, Central Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in secretarial and business assistant roles.  Within the community, she enjoyed participating within the DAR, the UDC, the garden club, and as a volunteer with the Lanier Park Red Cross where she was volunteer chair and recipient of the Lanier Park Hospital Joan Meyer Award.  Dorothy was a loyal member of the Baptist Church.  For many years, she was a member of Central Baptist Church and taught young women in Sunday School.  In 1978, she joined First Baptist Church where she was a devoted member of the Gleaners Sunday School Class and the Vintagers.  She and Rhuel especially enjoyed visiting homebound church members and dispensing love and encouragement. 

Her family will always remember the vibrant, outgoing Dorothy who loved spontaneously dancing with Rhuel to big band music, reading mysteries, collecting music boxes, reunions of any type, sending cards to family and friends, playing Scrabble and card games, researching genealogy, maintaining detailed family scrapbooks, solving crossword puzzles, Blizzards and Butterfingers, their cats, and most of all spending time with her grandchildren.

Dorothy is pre-deceased by her husband, Rhuel Dennis Patterson, her parents and her beloved brothers, Angus Dewey "Ank" Carlton Jr, Robert Louis Carlton, and William Carlton.

She is survived by her sister Sharon Gail Duvall (Dan) of Cleveland, GA, daughter Ann Luther (Randy) of Nashville, TN, her son Roger Patterson (Faith) of Pittsboro, NC, two adored grandchildren Renee Leonard (Joel) of Greensboro, NC and Beth Mellott (Lane) of Pittsboro, NC and four great grandchildren Evelyn Leonard, Charlotte Leonard, Lacey Mellott and Hannah Mellott; as well as loving nieces, nephews and a wide circle of treasured friends.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Oaks at Limestone and Pruitt Hospice for their devoted care of Dorothy these past few years.

A service in celebration of the life of Dorothy Ann will be held on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 2:00 pm at Little-Davenport Funeral Home with Rev. Bruce Fields officiating.  Visitation with the family will be held at the same location from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm in advance of the service.

Flowers will be accepted.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Ministry of Caring (751 Green Street NW, Gainesville, GA 30501), or to the charity of one’s choice.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.