A 2 p.m. celebration of his life will be held Friday, June 27, 2008 at First Baptist Church of Greensboro, with Dr. Steve Pressley officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.

A Spartanburg County native, he was born October 1, 1916. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Greensboro. When his children were young he worked with the training union and child care at his church which showed his great love of and concern for children. Sam worked with the Boy Scouts in Greensboro when his son was of scouting age.

Sam was a veteran of World War II, having served in New Guinea and the Philippines for four years. He was with the 105th Engineers. At the end of the war he was employed by Canada Dry Corp. of N.Y., N.Y. as a district manager for central and eastern N.C., eastern Tennessee and Virginia. After retiring from Canada Dry Corp. he worked in real estate development of his property in the Wendover area and with Canada Dry Corp. of Greensboro.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Sarah Susan Carruth Patterson, in September 2006, by brothers, Floyd Patterson of Lyman, S.C., Lloyd Patterson of Reidsville, and Charles Patterson of Spartanburg; sisters, Melva Ballew, Lyda Wilson and Lillian High of Spartanburg, and Georgia Patterson of Greenville.

Mr. Patterson is survived by his son, Sam H. Patterson Jr. of Greensboro; daughter, Martha Patterson Hicks of Greensboro; sister Eva Lowe of Spartanburg; brothers, Roy Patterson of Greenville, Jack Patterson of Simpsonville, and John Patterson of Laurens; four grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and former son-in-law, David A. Hicks of Greensboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to First Baptist Church, 1000 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, N.C. 27401, or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, N.C. 27403.

The family is being served by Forbis & Dick North Elm Chapel of Greensboro. Online condolences may be made to www.forbisanddick.com.