In Charlottesville, Virginia, Robert Wayne Patton went home to be with the Lord on February 8, 2022. He was born and raised by the late Bertha Mae Maclin and the late Alex Maclin Sr. in Peoria, Illinois. He was also raised by the late Momma Sallie and her husband, Uncle Euin “Mack” MacBride, and grew up in Detroit, Michigan.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 25 years, Evilita, whom he affectionately called “Mi Amor,” and two beloved pets, Jackie, and Chico. Robert attended Detroit Public Schools and graduated from Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan. He later received an Associate of Arts, Liberal Arts from Oakland Community College, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management from Columbus University, Picayune, Mississippi, and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Management.
Leader, Servant, and Protector of many communities are three words that best summarize Robert’s four decades of public service experience. He had extensive experience as a police executive, serving as Chief of Police on several different agencies and serving in Senior Executive positions in others. Robert’s police career started with the Pontiac (MI) Police Department. He was a member of the department for 25 years, where he has promoted up the ranks from entry-level patrol officer to detective. He later served the Waldron, MI community as the Chief of Police before retiring at 46. Even after retiring, his leadership and resume as a public servant continued to expand as he served other communities in Mississippi and Maryland. He served as director of public safety in Columbus, MS, and was the chief deputy of operations of the Tunica Sheriff’s Department for two years, followed by two years as the Chief of Police in Walls, MS. That experience was followed by many years as the Chief of Police in the Capitol Heights and Cottage City, Maryland communities. Undoubtedly, his presence as a strong community leader left an impression on those, he committed to protect and serve throughout his career as a public servant. Robert was also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and a Veteran of the United States Army/ Military Police.
Even though he was so blessed to achieve all these accomplishments and accolades and trials he endured to serve others, his greatest accomplishment was being a graduate of the Bended Knee University, where he would often look up to the hills from whence his help cometh. One of Robert’s sayings was, “I will be here until God gets ready to take me home” he was a faithful servant that served others, and on that day, God was ready to call him home and called Robert by name and said Robert, well-done thou good and faithful servant, enter your rest.
He was preceded in death by his father, Alex Maclin Sr., his mother, Bertha Mae Maclin, three brothers, Alex Maclin, Jr., Ricky Maclin, and wife, Janace Maclin, and Stanley Maclin, Sr., his father-in-law, Evilio Pabon, and his step-father-in-law, Diogenes Silva.
He also leaves to cherish his memories his siblings Kenneth and Crystal Maclin of Peoria, Illinois; Steven and Gloria Maclin of Charleston, South Carolina; Philip and Chrystal Maclin of Peoria, Illinois; Lisa Maclin of Peoria, Illinois, sisters-in-law, Danice Maclin of Peoria, Illinois, Debbie Maclin of Peoria, Illinois, and Diana Maclin of Rockingham, Virginia. Sisters-in-law, Marta Pabon, and Luis Mindiola, of Colombia, South America, Rocio Pabon, of Colombia, South America, Mary Pabon, of Colombia, South America, Cecilia Silva and Miquel Romero of Colombia, South America, and Luzmarina Silva, and Tomas Navarro, of Colombia, South America. Brother-in-law Miquel Silva and Patricia Merino of Colombia, South America. Several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends also will cherish his memory.
The family will receive friends 9-10:30 am, Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Mabel Memorial Chapel in Harrisonburg. A funeral service will follow at 11 am, with Pastor Basil Marin, Dr. Michael Maclin and Pastor Phillip Maclin officiating. Burial will be at Newtown Cemetery.
