Carol B Patterson

Born on December 6, 1944, in Wilmington, Delaware, Carol’s life was defined by compassion, dedication, and a deep love for learning. She earned her teaching degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, launching a remarkable career that would touch countless lives.

For 22 years, Carol taught elementary school in Union County, North Carolina, where she became a trailblazer in education. She was among the first teachers in the state to achieve National Board Certification—a distinction that reflected her unwavering commitment to excellence. Carol didn’t stop there; she led the county’s certification program, mentoring fellow educators and guiding them through the rigorous process of certification and recertification every decade. Her second-grade classroom was a place of warmth, wonder, and growth, and her students adored her as much as she cherished them.

Carol was a devoted follower of Christ, and her faith was the quiet foundation of her life. She lived with grace, humility, and a servant’s heart, always seeking to uplift others through kindness and encouragement.

After retiring in 2013, Carol embraced a new chapter as a full-time grandmother and enthusiastic fly fisher. Alongside her beloved husband, she joined the Carolina Fly Fishing Club, where she found joy in nature and community. Her days were filled with laughter, adventure, and the quiet beauty of rivers and streams.

Carol is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Steve Patterson Sr.; her children: Lieutenant Colonel Steve Patterson Jr. and his wife Missy, Charleen Halperin and her husband Robbie, and their son Tyler; Raymond Patterson and his wife Liz, and their daughters Lainey and Maddie. She is also remembered by her siblings: John Blackson and his son Bobby; Patrice Gulledge and her husband Larry, and Patrice's daughter Brennan Barefoot and Patrice's sons David Voorhees and Garrett Barefoot; Elizabeth Blackson; and Kathleen Wooten and her husband Eugene, and their daughter Melissa Wooten.

Carol’s legacy lives on in the hearts of her family, friends, students, and fellow educators. Her life was a testament to faith, wisdom, and the quiet strength of a woman who gave so much to the world around her.

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From Raymond Patterson:

She was the best mother I could have ever asked for. The most loving, caring, funny, intelligent, cheerful, and selfless person I have ever known. She didn’t care what anyone thought and would have done anything for anyone, without prejudice or hesitation.

My mother loved children. She loved being a mother. And she loved being a teacher — a second mother to so many of her students. More parents requested to have their child in her classroom than there was room for. That says everything about how great a teacher she was.

I’m so thankful for all the wonderful years I was able to spend with her, and so proud to be her son. I’ve missed her so much over the past few years. I wish my daughters could have truly known her — I know they would have had the best relationship with her.

I also want to thank my dear father for taking care of her the way he did. You couldn’t have done a better job. I love you so much, and I need you to take care of yourself now. I need you to be here for a long time.

I know my mother would want us to be happy today, to celebrate her life, and to remember her with love and laughter. I have so many wonderful memories of her, but I’ll share just a few.

When I was young, on Sundays, my mom and I would take the newspaper and see who could spot the object in the Magic Eye images first. I usually saw it before she did — but we were the only ones in the house who could see it at all. It was our special little thing, just between the two of us.

I remember sitting on the couch as a family watching Seinfeld — back when it was in prime time, before DVRs, before cell phones. You couldn’t laugh too loudly or someone might miss a line, and if the phone rang, you’d rush to pick it up and hang it right back up. Mom would sit there grading papers while watching, and she’d say, “Raymond, there are two types of people in this world: those who like Seinfeld and those who don’t — and I don’t care to know those who don’t.”

My mother also loved Easter. She was obsessed with bunnies. She gave Charleen and me elaborate Easter baskets well into adulthood. I think part of her always wanted us to stay her little kids.

I’ll never forget my first year of college, when I came home for Easter weekend. I’d gone to a house party the night before, and the next morning the house was full of people sleeping everywhere — on couches, floors, wherever they could. At 8 a.m., the phone rang, and the answering machine picked up. It was my mom, singing: “Where is Raymond Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail, wondering where little Raymond is.” I bolted for the machine, but I wasn’t fast enough. Her song played for everyone to hear — and it was replayed several more times for everyone’s amusement.

That was my mom — She could make everyone laugh.

I’ll miss her always, but I’m grateful beyond words for every moment I had with her.