J.W. Patman, Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

The love of God quietly took J.W. Patman, Sr. (JW) by the hand on Sunday August 3, 2008 at St. Mary’s Hospice, Athens, GA. He was surrounded by family at the time of departure.JW was born in Jackson County, GA, April 7, 1923. He was the middle and last surviving of three children of the late, Milledge and Senie Patman. JW loved the Lord. He was a lifelong member of Flats Creek Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon for many years.JW loved his country. After three years, ten months, and 17 days of Army service from 1945 to 1949, he, like so many veterans of the time, came home and took advantage of the GI Bill. It provided him the opportunity to attend Athens Technical School, now Athens Technical College, where he graduated with a Diploma in Plastering in 1949. Noteworthy is the fact that at the time Plastering was a Trade taken up by few African-Americans nationwide. When the Trade began to decline in the late seventies, JW took up Sheetrock finishing, which he practiced until his retirement from Athens Regional Hospital in 1996.JW loved his family. He and his devoted wife, Wilda “Boots” Patman, married in February 21, 1946. She is now cherishing his memory along with five surviving children, Martha (Dr. Grady) Cornish, Athens, GA, J.W. (Tommy) Patman, Jr., Detroit, Michigan, Brenda Harper, Athens, GA, Carol (Rev. Oland) Tarpkins, Commerce, GA, Randy Patman, Athens, GA. His son, Eugene (Betty) Wood preceded him in death.\r\n