Ralph Benton Patterson

Graveside services for Ralph Benton Patterson, 85, of Tyler, are scheduled for 10:00 am, Monday April 3, 2017 at New Harmony Cemetery, with Brother Robbie Caldwell officiating. Visitation will be 3:00-5:00 pm, Sunday April 2, at Memorial Funeral Home Tyler..

Ralph was born January 6, 1932 in Bennington, Oklahoma to the late Joseph Allen Patterson and Cassie Lee Holman Patterson. He was raised in Arp, Texas and moved to Tyler in 1951 after marrying his wife of 66 years, Sammie Jean Barron Patterson of Tyler. Ralph went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, March 29, 2017.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother, Wayne Patterson and sister, Lois Salyer.

Survivors include his wife Sammie; two sons and daughters-in-law, Samuel and Linda Patterson, Prairieville, LA, Barry and Nell Patterson, Tyler, and daughter Angelia Patterson, Overton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Inez Salyer, Longview, June Higginbotham, Gloster, MS, Doris and Ray Harris, Lawrenceville, GA, and Glenda and Charles Garrett, Troup; granddaughter and grandsons and their spouses, Casie and Ron Davis, Kennedale, Logan and Tiffani Meier, Overton, Daniel Patterson, Carrollton, and Landon and Amanda Meier, Overton. Ralph also had great-grandchildren Kyra Davis, Ian Davis, and Calleigh Meier, and many nieces and nephews.

In his youth, Ralph was well-known and regarded as he delivered groceries and livestock feed for the local Piggly Wiggly grocery store. He graduated Arp High School in 1950, where he had played starting positions on both offense and defense for the football team. He also participated in school basketball, his church, and other activities. As a teenager, he particularly loved roller-skating at area skating rinks. It was at the Tyler rink where he introduced himself to a Tyler girl he had noticed singing a solo at Central Baptist Church in Tyler which he had visited a few weeks earlier. He married Sammie Jean Barron, in April, 1951 and live their life together as happy and active church and community members.

After marriage, Ralph worked for a time as a blacksmith shop assistant for steam engines for the Cotton Belt Railroad in Tyler. In 1952, he gained employment at La Gloria Oil Refinery. In the 50’s, he also served full-term in the Army National Guard as he continued into the years of his life. He retired from La Gloria in 1989 after 38 years, and dedicated himself to many happy and giving endeavors for and with his wife, family, friends, and acquaintances.

Ralph always, always gave his gentle, happy smile, encouraging words, swift but careful skill, and unerring goodwill and integrity. And his great sense of humor too! He truly walked every day with strong faith in his Lord and with selfless love for everyone.