Carolynn Patterson was born May 1, 1946, in Memphis to Wanga and John Patterson. Attending Memphis public schools, she graduated in 1964 from Central High School. After obtaining a B.S. in Education from Memphis State University in 1968, Carolynn held various teaching positions in public and private schools. She later obtained a Master of Education degree from Louisiana State University.
Voted “most athletic” in high school, Carolynn played competitive women’s amateur fast pitch softball for many years, then went on to become a beloved coach and mentor. She umpired and officiated at various sporting levels through the age of 50. Through her love of sports, Carolynn made lifetime friends and impacted many. One of her greatest honors was being inducted into the Memphis Amateur Hall of Fame in 2009.
A certified teacher of the sciences, Carolynn worked ten years as a Medical Laboratory Technician, eventually becoming credentialed in multiple diagnostic pathologies. It was also during this time that Carolynn felt a growing compassion and calling to those in need. This led her to pursue and obtain a Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary which equipped her to serve as a chaplain in clinical pastoral care.
In recent years Carolynn expanded her care to seniors and volunteered in various capacities with the Metropolitan Interfaith Association, Meals on Wheels, and Frayser-Raleigh Senior Center.
Carolynn is survived by her twin sister, Marolynn Finch of Memphis; her sister, Pat Gallier of Northboro, Mass., as well as three nieces, three nephews, and sixteen grand nieces and nephews, as well as numerous close friends.
A graveside service for Carolynn will be held Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Patterson family.
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