WILMINGTON — Mary Sue McElheney Patterson, formerly of Danville, Virginia, passed away peacefully in Wilmington, North Carolina, on October 17, 2022. Mary Sue was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Nathan Keith Patterson, Jr., and her parents, Rosemary Schermerhorn McElheney and Otha Dallas McElheney, all of Danville, Virginia.
She is survived by sons Keith Patterson and wife Kelli, Chris Patterson and wife Donna, and daughter Amy Lavinder and husband Steve; grandchildren Jessica Patterson, Alex Patterson, Victoria Lavinder Ramsey, AliSue Patterson Ngo, James Lavinder and Nate Patterson; and her siblings Edith Herndon, Kathy Pace, and Dallas McElheney, plus numerous loving extended family members.
Mary Sue was born in Danville in 1940, married Nathan in 1958, and together they lived in Danville, Blacksburg, northern Virginia, Mississippi and Florida before returning to Danville to live from 1996-2017. Her main focus was as a wife and mother, while she worked in various positions, most years in the Fairfax County and Pittsylvania County school systems, as an aide in secondary education. Mary Sue was a faithful member of Fairview United Methodist Church in Danville, where she served the Lord in both the congregation and the community, and was known by her loving and servant heart. Mary Sue was fun and generous and a friend to all she met.
Her last five years were spent in Wilmington at the Davis Community, where she shared her infectious love, beautiful smile and ever-present joy with those around her.
Her life will be remembered and celebrated on, Saturday November 19, 2022, 2 p.m. at Fairview United Methodist Church in Danville, Virginia.
Memorial donations can be made to Fairview United Methodist Church in Danville or The Davis Community in Wilmington.
