Celebration of Life For
~ JJ Y/.7) ~~
Friday, April 27, 2012 12:00 Noon
~~ ~de/~cefkd
220 Auburn Avenue, Northeast Adanta, Georgia
Reverend Dr. Gregory V. Eason, Sr., Senior Pastor 0 fficia ting

Roy was born in Dawson, Georgia on October 30, 1944 to Rochester Patterson, Sr. and Carolyn Crumbley. As a beloved grandchild of "Big Mama" and the Crumbley-Reynolds family, Roy was deeply loved by all of his aunts, uncles, and cousins. Roy grew up during the civil rights movement and at an early age, he became a student activist promoting civil rights and social justice long before his time. Roy's family was equally involved in the civil rights movement. His mother revealed her story recently in the book, Hands on the Freedom Plow, of how she and her son, Roy, nearly lost their lives when their home was bombed. Roy and his family later moved to Jacksonville, Florida where he graduated from high school with honors. He was educated at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia and graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in economics.
Roy Patterson began his career as a newspaper reporter in New York City while helping to organize the Urban League Street academies, anti-drug programs and neighborhood school programs. He returned to Atlanta in 1973 to cover the mayoral bid of Maynard Jackson only to stay and take a job with WXIA-TV as a sports reporter, and later at 11-Alive as a reporter and talk show host. From 1977 to 1980, he served as Director of Communications for the City of Atlanta and Press Secretary for Mayor Maynard Jackson. And from 1980 to 1987, he worked for Channel 30 as producer. After guiding the formation of People TV into a separate television entity, Roy initiated his own video production company, formerly known as The Black Network, Ltd. and later in 1989, The Communique Group, Ltd. As owner and CEO of The Communique Group, LTD, he produced biographical videos, documentaries, weddings and anniversaries, baccalaureates, graduations, birthday events, church choir concerts, and special programs for such organizations as SCLC and SCLC Women, to name a few. Roy was known for his special gift of editing and providing every client with more than they asked.
Roy continued to be a community activist throughout his professional career, beginning his activism back to the student sit-in movement of 1950, the freedom rides of 1961, and the voter registration drives of the mid-60's. He also worked with SNCC from 1961 until 1967, the Black Empowerment of the late 60's and early 70's, and the March on Washington. Throughout the 80's he involved himself in the anti-Apartheid Movement, the anti-drug abuse campaign and equal opportunity for women and other ethnic groups. And in the 1990's he urged African-Americans to reclaim our heritage and re-develop a sense of "community."
Roy Patterson holds the distinction of being part of an award winning team in commercial television (Emmy for AM Atlanta), public television (Emmy for Take 30, Bronze Jubilee Award for Communicative Arts for producing a six part series entided "Conversations at Spelman") and cable television (Caber Award for The By-Line-the first newsletter started by Roy as President of the Atlanta Association of Black Journalist, The Network and West Peachtree). He has been honored by many organizations and/or made significant contributions to so many others, including school systems in Atlanta, Fulton and DeKalb, the National Association of Black Journalists, The King Center, SCLC and SCLC Women, Lowery Institute, NAACP, United States Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency, National Conferences on Black Majors, Inc., United Negro College Fund, Butler StreetY, Auburn Avenue Revitalization Committee, Atlanta Business League, National Association of Black Workers, U.S. Department of Justice, Clark College, now Clark Atlanta University (instructor), Spelman College (speaker and producer), Morehouse College and others. He received special recognition from Morris Brown College in documenting selected College programs and maintaining the visual history of the Morris Brown College marching band. Roy Patterson was truly a journalist who was also a master video and television documentarian and interdisciplinary communicator.
As President of the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, many of AABJ's early members call Roy "the most aggressive president in the organization's history in the area of equal representation in the media and news coverage." During his presidency, Roy dispelled the mainstream media myth that there was no good Black talent, keeping a steady stream of qualified journalists flowing into Atlanta newsrooms. News organizations responded when Roy spoke out-sometimes at his own expense-against the lack of diversity in local newsrooms. In addition to his dedication to recruiting Black journalists to Atlanta, Roy was committed to encouraging Black retention and promotion in Atlanta newsrooms and encouraging young students to pursue journalist careers.
Roy became aware of his wife, Sandra, while watching "Good Morning America." Sandra (Dr. Sandra Sims) was a professor at Spelman College and she was being interviewed on behalf of the City of Atlanta for spearheading a task force to address the mental health concerns of children and families who were traumatized by several criminal events in the city. Using his media investigative skills, Roy located the church that she attended, Ben Hill United Methodist Church, and later asked her to appear on one of his talk shows, "Conversations at Spelman". And, the rest is history!
Roy was an avid tennis player. A "requirement" for marrying Sandra (1985) was that she also played and love tennis. They both played in the Adanta Lawn Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association and sometimes played doubles together and really won! Roy played tennis nearly every single day until his health failed him. He established long lasting friends as a member of the Gentle Mules at Adamsville Park, the McGhee Tennis Center, and West Manor Park. During several seasons he served as team captain. During this time Roy also developed a program and obtained funding to support scholarships for youth to play tennis. Roy was always devoted to his church. As a youth he was superintendent of the Sunday School at his home church, ATOC AME in Dawson Georgia. He continued this level of service at Big Bethel AME Church where he served faithfully in several roles beginning as a member of the Sunday School class with his mother, and later a co-teacher over 10 years for the juniors. He assisted with forums, debates, scavenger hunts, and black history programs where he shared his life as a pioneer and civil rights activist with children and youth. Roy videotaped church programs, including "Heaven Bound," choir concerts, Big Bethel's 160th Church

Anniversary, the Women's Missionary Fashion Show, and the Atlanta North Georgia Conference DMC program. He also served as Master of Ceremonies several years for the conference. Roy's heart was most connected to the youth at Big Bethel. He loved teaching Sunday school and being present in church when the youth mime ministry performed.
Roy was also connected to Ben Hill United Methodist Church where Sandra was a member. In addition to attending Ben Hill, he videotaped several concerts for the Sanctuary Choir and Calendar Teas for the Jewels and Partner's ministry. He developed special relationships with Sandra's "jewels" in this latter organization. Other church connections included his special relationship with Rev. Dr. Jasper Williams, Jr. at Salem Baptist Church where he made a significant contribution to the television and video ministry in earlier years. He was often a guest speaker or videotaped concerts and other events at other churches including, Cascade United Methodist Church, Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist, Israel Baptist Church, Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, Dixie Hills First Baptist Church, West Hunter Street Baptist Church, Murray Memorial CME Church, and ATOC AME Church.
Roy's wife, children, grandchildren and family loved and admired him for his faith in God and love for people. He challenged them to keep God f1rst and always strive to be the best that they can be and to love and respect family, friends and others by giving back to the community. He was an individual who was well read with lots of books in the home as well as video documents. His family revered his intellect, academic achievements (a perfect SAT score), and excellence in study, and creativity. They admired his video producing and editing skills, his gift of oratorical speech, knowledge and fluency in the English language, superb writing skills and photographic memory of historical dates, significant moments in time and keen awareness of the lives of significant civil rights leaders, world figures and events. He challenged his children to develop global awareness and respect for diversity. Roy was also writing his dream books during the last two years, completing book 1, 1968 and nearly completing the second one, They Stood in the Gap for me.
Roy's family also knew his heroes, "Malcolm, Martin and Mandela," because he frequently referred to them by name in his daily prayers in this order every day. He developed close relationships with the late Rev. Ralph Abernathy, often serving as guest speaker at Rev. Abernathy's church, Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Lowery, Congressman John Lewis, the late Bishop Cornelius Henderson, Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr., the late Hosea Williams. He also spent time with concerned Black Clergy when they met at the old Pascal's Restaurant. He loved and respected them all. They were friends and family to Roy. Finally, his love and concern for others whom he did not know was reflected in his contribution as a blood donor for the American Red Cross. He was adamant about giving blood every single time that he was called.
Devoted survivors include his beloved wife, Sandra "Sandi", four children, Chaka (Tracey) of Chicago, Illinois, Angela (Dax), Malika (Bobby), and Shaundra Royelle Patterson, seven grandchildren, MacKenzie, Sentelle, Ryan, Taylor, Chandler, Camden, and newly born Bria Mattison, mother, Mrs. Carolyn Daniels, sisters, Karen and Sharron Patterson of Jacksonville, Florida, aunts and uncles, mother-in-law, Mrs. Loretta Young Nash, sister-in-law, Gwendolyn (Michael) Faison of Spartanburg, S.C. and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends, youths and adults who he mentored. The family is indebted to his cousins, Elders Daniel and Alvita Thompson and uncle, Odell Young, Jr., Rev. Dr. Gregory V. Eason, Sr., Rev. Richard D. Winn, Sr., and Rev. Dr. Debora Grant who visited the home and prayed with Roy and Sandi, and a host of others who provided care or help with Roy, including Anthony "Blake: Brown, Eric Blake, Ed Williams, Ed Denson, Westport Way neighbors, and Super Nurses Hospice, Inc.
Roy really loved family, both his and Sandi's. He was a central champion at all of the family reunions and always served as the official family historical videographer. Family and friends will forever cherish the memories of their journey with Roy. He loved and they loved him too.

Excerptfrom a Convocation address presented on March 29, 1984 !:y Roy Patterson to students at Spelman College

I will conclude with a more personal and prosaic admonition. I ur;ge y ou to develop a dai/y
habit ofreading and stuc!J outsideyour special area ofinterest or training. As one teacher said,
')ou on!J need to read on the daysyou eat. " But the point is not on!J to read on that schedule,
but in the Bible's words --to read, mark, learn and inward!J digest.

Yours is the generation that will rise to leadership in the 2fst century. You will almost certain!J
encounter a world quite discontinuous with the world ofyour college days. As you face the world, you will need new ideas, independence of mind, a capacity to balance means and ends

reasonab!J. This will take more than specialized training. Indeed it will require more than

education. Integn!J, courage, boldness andgrace-the ancient heroic virtues will still be needed,
as well as wisdom. When you begin life 1journry afteryouryears at Spelman !:y wqy ofyour chosen career, I urge you to save time for the jqy of music; to pause before the spring] first flower, to marvel at the mystery ofa bal:yi wise smile. Thejournry oflife is what it has alwqys

been, to seek our humanity and ourplace in the universe.

.._.....

I wishy ou Godspeed

Prelude Processional Hymn of Celebration
Mime Ministry Prayer
Musical Selection
)
Scriptures Old Testament : Psalms 23 The Gospel-John 14: 1-7 The Epistle: II Timotf?y 4: 6-8
Words of Comfort
Musical Selection Reflections

'We Will Understand It Better By & By"

Babcock Young Voices of Unity
Big Bethel AME Church Rev. Dr. Debora Grant
St. John AME Church, Columbus, GA Ms. Karen G. Lowery

Rev. Alvelyn Sanders, Big BethelAME Church Rev. Joseph Reynolds, A TOCAME Church Rev. GiGi Warren, Ben Hill UM Church
Rev. Richard D. Winn, Sr. Ben Hill United Methodist Church, Senior Pastor
Mrs. Tameshala T. Simmons

Musical Selection Eulogy Organ Medley Acknowledgments Recessional

Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, Lowery Institute Rev. Dr. Jasper Williams, Jr., Sr. Pastor, Salem Baptist Church Ms. Sidmel Estes & Mr. Stan Washington, Assoc. ofBiackJournalists Brothers Kevin Cruse & Everett ]oi!J, Big BetheiAME Church Sunday School
Mr. Michael Mqjette, Friend & Tennis Associate Mrs. Yvonne Schell, Fami!J Member
Mr. Ellison Harrell.
Rev. Dr. Gregory V. Eason, Sr.
Mr. Jarvis R. Wilson
Mrs. Carol Clarke Wesley
"Going Up Yonder"

Lincoln Cemetery and Mausoleum 2275 Joseph E. Boone Boulevard
Atlanta, Georgia

f
There's a miracle called , ~.. Friendship that dwells
Within our hearts andyou don't know how it happens or when itgets it start. But the happiness it bringsyou always gives a special lift andyou realize thatfriendship Is life's most precious gift.

Eric Blake Anthony "Blake" Brown Cleveland Crumbley, Jr.
Lamar Schell, Jr. Odell Young, Jr. Charles Willis III
Adams Park Tennis Association, "Gende Mules" West Manor Tennis Players
Loyal Adult Sunday School Class- Bethel AME Church The Jewels & Partners Ministry- Ben Hill UMC Church
I<.appa Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.
Super Nurses Hospice, Inc. Sonya Gordon Phyllis Schelling
Dr. Kitty Carter Wicker Dr. Lorin Freedman
Rev. Dr. Gregory V. Eason & Big Bethel AME Family Rev. Richard D. Winn, Sr. & Ben Hill United Methodist Family
Rev. Dr. Debora F. Grant Paschal Mix & Family
Westport Way Neighborhood Association Spelman College
Johnnie & Carolyne Simmons & Family Audrey Howlette
Carol Clarke Wesley Georgianne Thomas Anthony "Blake" Brown
Eric Blake Michael & Pam Majette
The Burden Family Ed Williams Ed Denson Bill Ransom
Dr. Priscilla Oliver
The family of the late Rochester "Roy" Patterson, Jr. wishes to express our sincere appreciation for all the kind deeds shown to us during our time of bereavement. May God bless each of you is our prayer.

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