Shirley G Patteson

Shirley G. Patteson was born on June 20, 1935 through the union of her parents, Charlie J. Johnson and Bernice Lee Ridgway, in Fort Payne, Dekalb County, Alabama. She was the “baby girl” of the family, and as such, her three older brothers served as teacher, mentor, chaperone and adventure guide. She was a talented singer and pianist, a regular pianist at Southeast Baptist Church and performed live on WZOB Radio where she met Billy McMinn, her future husband. She married early and started a family of her own, before moving from her hometown and settling in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia in 1963. She was a stay-at-home Mom and secretary for her husband’s business, but had a calling for Nursing and Healthcare. She attended Atlanta Technical College, and graduated in 1968 as an LPN. During her nursing career she worked in multiple metro Atlanta hospitals including Grady, Hughes Spalding, Doctor’s Memorial, Clayton General and the Atlanta Eye Clinic. In 1991 she completed a Medical Admin Certification at Branell College, thereafter working at Douglas General Hospital in that capacity. She finally retired from Nursing to provide home care for her husband in the final years of his life. In addition to her family and healthcare work, she was active in politics. A lifelong member of the GOP, she organized fundraisers, was the County headquarters office manager, served as first chairperson for Georgia’s 16th Congressional District and served as a delegate for county, state and national conventions. Shirley departed this life on July 22, 2023. She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Bill, RJ and Herbert; her first husband Billy J. McMinn and her second husband, A.W. Patteson. She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Donna McMinn and Debbie McMinn; a grandchild, Tracey Stewart (Kris); and two great-grandchildren, Kristopher and Kylee Stewart. Funeral services will be 2:00pm Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor David Durham officiating. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery, Fort Payne, Alabama. The family will receive friends on Wednesday beginning at 12 noon until the 2:00pm hour of service at the funeral home.

Shirley G Patteson

June 20, 1935 - July 22, 2023