OBITUARY

Mrs. Carolyn Ann Patterson was born October 27, 1946, in Pender County, Burgaw, North Carolina, to the late Clarence and Lila Simpson. She was the third oldest of 7 daughters born to them. Her parents, brother, James Richard Fennell, sisters Joyce Jacobs and Mary Elizabeth Johnson preceded her in death. Tuesday evening at 7:54pm, our Heavenly Father called her name three times and Carol stubbornly answered as she was called from her earthly labors to receive her Heavenly reward.

Carol was united in holy matrimony to Edward "Ed" Patterson for 50 years. Carol brought into the marriage three children from a previous relationship. Ed proudly became the stepfather to the three of them.

At an early age, Carol committed her life to God through her membership in Moore's Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Currie, North Carolina. She relocated to Philadelphia at the age of 17 years where she remained until her home going.

She attended C.F. Pope High School and was in the class of 1964. She later attended Beauty School and worked as a hairdresser for many years at the "Mane Attraction" in Philadelphia. She had a "zest" for life and enjoyed taking cruises with her sisters, co-workers, and friends. On Christmas holidays, she had the best decorated house, both inside and outside, on her street. Carol loved to shop and spent most weekends in the stores; she had an eye for "fashion".

Precious memories are engraved in the hearts of her loving husband, Ed; three children: Bernadette "Debbie" Byrd (Sean) of Smyrna, Delaware; Irven Simpson (Clarissa) of Philadelphia, PA; Stephanie Simpson, who preceded her in death; five grandsons: Irven Jr., Kadeem, Lamont "Keenan", Ryan, and Kristopher; two granddaughters: Stephania Mydia and Siani; three great grandsons: Desean, Idris, and Syncere; three great granddaughters: Krista, Seryn; five sisters: Lila Simpson Jacobs, Columbia, SC; Nadine Shelton (Wade), Philadelphia, PA; Sharon F. Patterson (Dwight), Philadelphia, PA; Karen K. Simpson, Philadelphia, PA; Barbara Bullock (Stanley), Henderson, NC; Diane Mills. Watha, NC; Ernestine Herring, Brooklyn, NY; one brother: Howard "Butch" Marshall (Verlene), Maryland. Adoptive Mother: Lillie Merritt, Currie, NC and a host of loving uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and former

co-workers and friends.