Obituary of Sandy Lee Patterson

Mrs. Sandy Lee Patterson, 80, of Pell City, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Ms. Patterson, one of fourteen children, was raised primarily in Indiana. After marrying in 1961 she and her husband moved to Alabama. She worked for the Pell City School System for 28 years, initially in the lunchroom at Duran Jr. High and later as lunchroom manager at Duran Jr. High South. When running errands, numerous students still fondly remembered her and greeted her warmly. She wasn’t just our mother and grandmother; she was a beloved figure in the community, affectionately regarded as everyone’s Nana. She successfully raised five children, often working multiple jobs to provide. Her residence was the go-to destination for kids from church, who eagerly spent the day there until the Sunday evening service. Similarly, her home served as the neighborhood hub where children gathered to play, enjoy Kool-Aid and tomato sandwiches, and engage in outdoor games like Hide and Seek until dusk, followed by catching lightning bugs until being called inside. However, during the day, everyone was required to go play outside for her 'stories,' which was referred to as her TV time. Through her exemplary life, she instilled in us the value of hard work, demonstrating that our desires required effort to attain and maintain. She embodied the qualities of a gracious host, always prioritizing giving over receiving, as evident during Christmas celebrations. Witnessing her grandchildren unwrap presents brought her immense joy. Furthermore, she consistently sent birthday cards to her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, without missing a single birthday. She was a devoted attendee, ensuring her presence at weddings, birthdays, and baseball games whenever possible. As a member of Evening Star Baptist Church, she cherished her church family and deeply missed attending services due to health issues. Nevertheless, her unwavering love for them remained unshakeable, and she will be profoundly missed by her church family. She was loved by all and we will all Love her every day! She was preceded in death by her son, Roger Lee Patterson; mother, Mary Francis Gilliam; granddaughter, Jennifer Lee Tucker; four sisters; and four brothers. She is survived by her daughters, Jo Brascho (Jace), Skeeter Ferguson (Tippy), and Melissa Tucker (Rickey); son, William Eugene Patterson (Pam); grandchildren, Kelly Patterson, Misty Patterson, Andrea Jolly, Jason Patterson, Joseph Brascho (Lauren), Andrea Lynch (Chad), Zayne Ferguson, Zakry Ferguson (Sarah Grace), Megan Burrow (Charlie), Ryan Tucker (Katie), Brentan Tucker, and Taegan Tucker; great-grandchildren, Jace, Olivia, Ethan, Vanessa, Addy Jean, Trevor, Paeton, Khloe, and Kinzley; sisters, Mary Jane Shellman and Cathy Evans (Jeff); brothers, Michael Morton (Joyce), Rusty Gilliam, and Larry Gilliam; and best friend, Connie Macon Hollis. The family will receive friends at Usrey Funeral Home – Pell City from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Bro. Shon Phillips officiating. Interment will be at Evening Star Baptist Church. Serving as pallbearers are Joseph Brascho, Zayne Ferguson, Zakry Ferguson, Ryan Tucker, Brett Perry and Jared Perry. Honorary pallbearers are Taegan Lee Tucker, Jace Alexander Brascho, and Paeton Lee Tucker. Condolences may be offered online at www.usreyfuneralhome.com. Usrey Funeral Home – Pell City is in charge of arrangements.