[1]TOPEKA, Kan. (BP)–Roberta Mae “Honey” Patterson, mother of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson, died Oct. 1 at the Rolling Hills Retirement Community, Topeka, Kan., after developing an infection following emergency colon surgery in late August. She was 89.
Roberta Patterson served on the Woman’s Missionary Union executive board in Texas from 1929-61. During that time, she also served as secretary of the Texas WMU for five years, historian for three years and prayer chairman for six years.
A widow since 1990, Roberta Patterson was married for 59 years to the late T.A. Patterson, executive director for the Baptist General Convention of Texas from 1961-73 and previously pastor of churches in Texas and Oklahoma.
A native of Abilene, Texas, Roberta Patterson earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1927 from Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, where she also completed one year of graduate work. She also attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.
Roberta Patterson taught English, Spanish, home economics, violin and Bible at several different schools from 1928-42.
An accomplished author, she wrote several children’s stories and numerous articles for religious publications. In 1955 she wrote and illustrated “Candle By Night,” a history of the Texas WMU. Two years later she wrote “How To Conduct An Installation Service,” published by Zondervan in 1957.
Roberta Patterson is survived by her three children: Dawn Ramcharan of Topeka, Kan.; Paige Patterson of Wake Forest, N.C.; and a foster son, David Amad of Amman, Jordan. She is also survived by six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
A memorial service has been scheduled for the afternoon of Oct. 6 at New Hope Baptist Church, Topeka, Kan. A graveside service will be held the following week at Restland Cemetery in Dallas, where she will be buried beside her late husband.
The family is requesting in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the T.A. and Roberta Patterson Scholarship at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C., or the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions in care of New Hope Baptist Church, Topeka, or First Baptist Church, Dallas.