J. Russell Patterson

Rev. J. Russell Patterson, 88, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2022. He was born on November 7, 1933 in Long Island, NY in West Hampton Beach to Sherman L. & Rosa Belle Patterson, both preceded him in death. He was the youngest child and is preceded in death by his three siblings: Sherman L. Patterson Jr., Hazel Patterson Pegues and Traxler Patterson; daughter, Carmelita Patterson Garmon; and grandson, Simpson Grant.

Russell lived a full and fun life. He was very active; after college, he worked at the Post Office in Washington D.C. Russell relocated back to Long Island to help with his father's business. He also worked as a Probation Officer in Suffolk County, NY until he retired in 1995. After visiting his brother Sherman in Phoenix, Russell knew he would relocate there upon retirement.

Russell was a loving family man that cared about community and the betterment of others. Everyday upon arriving home from work at 5:30 pm, he would be ready to throw the football or baseball with his son. In West Hampton Beach he ran for Town Councilman, was a member of the Mason's & Lion’s Clubs and even started a Men’s Club.

He met his amazing wife, Marcy through a mutual friend. Who knew that meeting would turn into a life together filled with twenty-three years of fabulous memories. Together they would look at fun places in magazines and decide to visit those places. Marcy describes Russell as “extremely loving, kind and dependable. He was the absolute best husband”.

His community service continued locally where he was a Reverend at Life Changers Worship Center in Mesa, AZ. He taught Sunday School, spoke at church conferences and was well loved and respected. Russell received many awards of appreciation from his church community and was also known for telling jokes.

Russell is survived by wife, Marcy Patterson; daughters: Russelle Patterson (Jack), Petersburg, VA, Kim C. Patterson, Petersburg, VA; son, Joseph Patterson Jr., Gilbert, AZ; grandchildren: Madison Patterson, Trevor Lance, Vaughan Grant, Zechariah Grant, Alexis Jones (Joseph), Brittany Patterson, Opal Stuart (Marcus); loving nieces, Gail Patterson & Lois Pegus; nephews, Aaron Patterson, Allen Patterson, Seth Patterson, the Riding & Gordon family and many beloved friends.

Russell leaves behind a legacy of cherished memories and sweet moments and a community that loves him.

Services will be held, Saturday, August 6, 2022 | 11:00 AM Public Viewing followed by the Service at 12:00 PM. The Internment will be Immediately Following Ceremony.

Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Mortuary & Memorial Gardens

4310 E Southern Ave

Phoenix, AZ 85042

(602) 437-0436

Rev. Dr. Donise Dillard, Senior Pastor

Life Changers Worship Center

Mesa, AZ

This service will be Live Streamed from Resthaven Carr-Tenney's Facebook page. When the services start you should be able to attend via this URL:

www.facebook.com/ResthavenCarrTenney/

or you can search Resthaven Carr-Tenney directly on Facebook. After the service is over, the video will remain on the page to be shared and viewed with family and friends.

You can view the Memorial program for the event online using the URL:

https://tinyurl.com/revpatterson.