Rev. George Stanley Patterson

Rev. George Stanley Patterson, 88, passed away Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals. George was born in Ohatchee, AL. He was a World War II veteran of the US Navy. When he returned home, he enrolled in Southeastern Bible College, where he met his wife, Rev. Marjorie Bailey Patterson, and graduated in 1952. George built and pastored a church in Lake City, FL, and later pastored in Gastonia, NC. God spoke to his heart while driving through Asheville in 1965 and said, The next church you pastor will be here in Asheville. So George came to Asheville in 1967 and was asked to pastor West Asheville Assembly of God. It was a very small church, but through prayer and dedication to Gods purpose, he saw the church grow to over 500. After 18 years, George and his wife, Marjorie, also an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, went into the mission field as missionary evangelists. They ministered in Great Britain, Africa, Romania, and Nicaragua. God blessed their ministry with many souls, here and on the mission field. When they returned to the states, they pastored the First Pentecost Assembly of God in Franklin until 2009. After retiring, they lived with their son, Timothy, and his wife Diane in Weaverville until God called George home. George was the son of the late Albert Bunyon and Mary Alice Box Patterson. He was also preceded in death by his sisters: Ruby and Ailene; and brother, Wiley. Surviving are his wife, Rev. Marjorie Bailey Patterson; son, Timothy George Patterson and wife Diane; granddaughter, Mychela Patterson; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday at Crossroads Assembly, with Dan Taylor, Bill Delong, and Tim Patterson officiating. Military graveside rites will follow the service in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 till 8 PM Thursday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home, and also for 30 minutes prior to the service on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Tabernacle of Praise Building Fund, PO Box 1825, Fletcher, NC 28732.