Joseph Sidney "Joe" Patty

Joseph S. "Joe" Patty born August 3, 1929, went to see Jesus on Tuesday, June 15th, after a brief illness. He was a native of Centre, Alabama, the son of the late James W. "Jim" and Lola Roe Patty. Five brothers and sisters-in-law, John T. (Dollie); J.W. (Emma); George (Elizabeth); Charles (Edna); Lawrence (Nell) and one infant sister preceded him in death. Also, his in-laws, Luther E. "Pat" Hampton; James S. & Opadea Hampton Blaylock; and brother-in-law, J.W. Hampton. Mr. Patty was a graduate of Cherokee County High School, Centre. He predicted to his classmates of 1948 that men would go to the moon. They thought he was daydreaming and laughed at him, but Joe had the last laugh. He loved to taunt them through the years after it came to pass. He served his country in the Korean war and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Korea. He was employed for 41 years at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company Distribution Center, retiring in 1990. He was a member of Sam Dixon Masonic Lodge #218, Centre. Mr. Patty was a Baptist by faith, and was saved, baptized, and ordained as a deacon at North Highland Baptist Church. There he served as Deacon, Sunday School teacher to intermediate boys, and various other capacities. Later, he joined Whites Chapel Baptist Church where he served as Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School Teacher to College and Career class and Adult Department, Coosa Christian School Board, Usher, Training Union Director, Chairman of Counting Committee, Chairman of Sound System, and many other committees. Presently, he was an active member of East Gadsden Baptist Church where he taught the Auditorium Sunday School Class for the past ten years, and served as a Deacon. Mr. Patty was an avid reader, and a Bible scholar. He played golf and tennis until his health prevented him. He loved to travel and was privileged to tour Bible lands on three different occasions. He loved hunting, fishing and boating, and was a Ham radio operator (K4WHT). He loved to look through his telescope and study the galaxy. He loved to work with his hands to build and create, always exemplifying such patience. He loved to draw and paint, one of his most prized paintings being a portrait of his wife. He was a man of varied interests and hobbies and pursued each one to the hilt. He was a man of integrity, a "man's man", and his word was his bond. The world is a little less fortunate without him, but Heaven is a little sweeter. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Iva Lee Hampton Patty. He was father to his 'special son', David Michael "Mike" Patty, Gadsden; and daughter, Iva Jo Patty (Dale) Nelson, Gadsden. He was "Paw Paw" to his only grandson, Justin David (Jessica Berry) Nelson, Gadsden. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law, Myra Hampton Cash. The family will receive friends at Collier Butler Funeral Home Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Collier Butler Chapel Friday at 3:30 p.m. The service will be conducted by Rev. Chad Chandler, Rev. Randy Postell and Rev. Bruce Word. Following the Chapel service at Collier Butler, a Masonic graveside service will be held in Cherokee Memory Gardens, Centre, at 5:30 p.m. Casket Bearers will be Dave Waits, Charles Cook, Dewey Burger, Nick Johnson, Randall Lipscomb, Gifton Luck, Colen Ellis and Jack Greene. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of Sam Dixon Masonic Lodge #218 (Centre), Glencoe Masonic Lodge #846, Cherokee County High School Class of 1948, co-workers at Goodyear Warehouse, members of Auditorium SS Class and Deacons of East Gadsden Baptist Church. Also, Billy Perry, Excel Hester, Emmett Cornutt, Charlie Copeland, Arvil Postell, Clifton Smith, Rev. Jerome Mitchell, Art Payne, Waldo Salazar, Dr. Eric Baum, Dr. Jerry Chandler, and all personal friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Snellgrove Civitan Center, (Day Training Center for the Mentally Challenged) in memory of Joe, and in honor of his son, Mike. Donations may be mailed to: Treasurer of Snellgrove Civitan Center Board, 1623 Ewing Avenue, Gadsden, AL 35901. A special 'thank you' to Dr. Olajide Akinsanya, Dr. Mohammad Kabir, and Dr. Mazen Hakim, seventh floor nurses and staff, special MICU nurses Mary Humphrey and Deb Chamblee at Gadsden Regional Medical Center, and Keith Collins at Collier-Butler Funeral Home.