Obituary: Etta Phillips Patterson

Etta Phillips Patterson, age 95 , a resident of Harriman, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, October 28, at the home of her daughter Faye Russell, while surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Patterson was born December 26, 1918, in the Stainsville Community in Anderson County. She is a lifelong resident of this area.

She was primarily a homemaker; however, in the early years, she was employed at the former Whiteway Restaurant in Harriman and Palm Beach Textile Industries.

She was a faithful Christian and a member of the Big Mountain Baptist Church in Oliver Springs. 

In addition to taking care of her family she enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing, quilting, and cooking.

Etta was preceded in death by her husband, Early Patterson; by parents, Richard and Rosie Patterson Phillips; by brothers, Verlin, Lewis, and Jonas Phillips; and by a son-in-law, Rev. J.B. Potter.

She is survived by six children, Donald Patterson and wife Loretta of Demotte, Indiana, Daniel Patterson and wife Peggy of Harriman, David Patterson of Harriman, Juanita Potter of Coalfield, Faye Russell and husband James of Oliver Springs, and Flonnie Sims and husband Mike of Ringgold, Georgia; and by 17 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by brothers, Virgil Phillips and wife Alice of Briceville, and Walter Phillips and wife Jean of Lake City; by a sister-in-law, Jean Phillips of Briceville; and by several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and a host of special friends.

The family will receive friends Friday, October 31, between 6 and 9 p.m. at Sharp Funeral Home. The funeral will be held Saturday, November 1, at 1 p.m. at Big Mountain Baptist Church with Rev. David Coffman, Pastor Dewey Brown, and Daniel Sims officiating. Burial and graveside services will follow at the Laurel Grove Cemetery.

The family expresses their gratitude to Covenant Hospice for all the care provided to Mrs. Patterson during her illness..

Sharp Funeral Home is serving the Patterson family, and we invite you to leave messages and or condolences at www.sharpfh.com.