04/21/2019
In addition to Easter Sunday, today was a very historic day at Emmanuel. In honor and memory of the Patteson Family, the church’s vestry voted unanimously to rename Withers Fellowship Hall to “Patteson-Withers Fellowship Hall.” Members of the Patteson Family were on hand during the service.
Below are remarks from our Senior Warden, Thomas Jordan Miles III, offered during the service.
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There’s an old Carter Family song I listen to quite a bit -- it’s called “Give me the Roses While I Live.” I’ll preface my remarks with that song title.
Today is a very special day for this little church, full of God’s spirit and grace and love, and love for one another, stranger and family member alike, whether you’ve never met the person in the next pew, or you’ve known them your entire life, as far as you can remember. Love leads the way at Emmanuel, as it has done for many, many years, as we seek to walk each other home.
And, for many, many years, dating back to the 1700s, the Patteson Family, many of whom are here today, have played an integral part to this church and this community.
The family is often dated by it’s historic farm, Mount Pleasant, located to the south of here, which was established in 1745, and remains in family today. The same can be said of their spirit of giving back to the community.
Integral is an understatement to the role the Pattesons have played in the formation of Glenmore’s community and its people. The correct term regarding their presence is paramount, or supreme.
The Pattesons have been involved in government, community and the military on many levels. Mt. Pleasant was built by Maj. David Patteson, the eldest son of Thomas Patteson, who served in the Revolutionary War as a captain of a company in the Sixth Virginia Regiment. David was a private in the Revolutionary Army, and went on to serve for many years in the Virginia House of Delegates and was good friends with founding father, Thomas Jefferson.
In 1901, Capt. Camm Patteson was present here, leading the way, as was Mary Camm Patteson, Hobhouse Patteson, Ella F. Patteson, and many others, during a 1901 Arbor Day Service, according to church records.
Fast forward several years to more present time, where George and Kate Patteson served as the parents of Jack, Hansford, Kate, Elizabeth, Prentiss, Jim and George -- all of whom played varying roles in this community, from farming, as Prentiss did, to serving in the military and dying for their country, as George did, from serving on the school board, Jim in his work as a mining engineer in southwest Virginia, and the public in the store business, as T.W. “Jack” did, to serving taking care of their fellow human, as did Hansford, Kate, and Elizabeth.
Now, in a very present time, and smelling the flowers today, we continue the celebration of this great family, including Jack and Mary, son daughter of Jim and Katherine, and Jack’s many offspring, Debby, Kathy, Jack, and, with us here, their spouses, and children, including Little Little Little Jack, and Kathy and Chris’ many offspring, Jack, Tighe, Duncan, Peyton, along with their spouses, and new grandchild Miller.
Might I add, regarding the Jacks here, including “old” Uncle Jack, that’s five a kind in poker, and a really good and lucky hand.
Today, we remember and more fittingly honor the service of the family to this church.
Going back to that old 1930s song I listen to about once a week in my pickup, the lyrics go, “Now is the time to sow good seeds, While here on earth we stay.”
That includes T. W. “Jack” Patteson serving as Senior Warden in 1981, Katherine Patteson serving on the vestry when called upon, in 1932 a Patteson serving as a delegate to forming a reformed parish, and, for many years and to present, and for many years to come, I believe and predict, my good friend Jack Patteson, serving as Junior Warden of this church.
Our Jack has served his community and country in many ways. After graduating from college, he joined the army, becoming a First Lt. and a company commander in the Korean War. There were nearly 200 soldiers under his command. He earned three Bronze Stars for his meritorious service and one Purple Heart. Interestingly, he was part of the University of North Carolina’s inaugural Masters of Business Administration Program.
The family’s work includes the countless years of time, energy, funds and hard work dedicated to this church and community, bettering us as Christians, and as members of a common place.
The Withers Family, the maternal side our beloved Jack’s offspring, some years ago, gave funds to build a fellowship hall to this historic place. For many years, Robert Withers served as rector of this parish, and alongside him was his faithful wife, Fannie.
Today, we honor the love, work, tireless effort, and persistence of the Patteson family, on unanimous action by the vestry of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, by renaming our fellowship hall, to The Patteson-Withers Fellowship Hall at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
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