Jenny McLelland Patterson,

Jenny Ina McLelland Patterson, age 88, passed away at her home in Hiddenite on Sunday, February 9, 2014, following a 2-year illness. Born January 6, 1926 in Iredell County, she was the daughter of the late Dockery Nelson McLelland and Carrie Sloan McLelland.  She was a faithful member of the Mountain View United Methodist Church of Statesville, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, and member of the United Methodist Women’s organization.  Jenny was a member of the Snow Creek Lodge Eastern Star and retired from her position as Finance Officer of The Hiddenite Center in 2011.  She was also bookkeeper and personnel manager at Taylor Togs. She loved spending time with her family and friends; her main enjoyment was reading, writing stories and poetry.  She lived with passion, style, grace, true strength and delightful humor.  Faith was always the center of her life and her family.  Whether in times of praise, in the midst of trials, or uncertainty, her faith was unshakeable.  Jenny enjoyed entertaining and sharing her home with others.  She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend to many.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son: Gary Millard Patterson; step-mother: Bertha M. McLelland;  sisters: Mary Beulah McLelland, Mae Clanton, Ruth Harmon; and brothers: Pete McLelland, Laurence McLelland, Ross McLelland, J.N. “Bud” McLelland, Ed McLelland, and George McLelland. Left to cherish her memory are: her husband of 70 years: Millard “Buddy” Patterson; a daughter: Karen Fox and husband, Wade of Hiddenite; a daughter-in-law: Becky Gaines and husband, Tony of Catawba County; grandchildren: Michelle Smith and husband Kevin, Jackie Daniel and husband Toby, Jennifer Mason and husband Jerry, Scott Patterson and girlfriend Lacey Sloope.  Nine great-grandchildren:  Gus Smith, Taylor Henderson, Kara Patterson, Hallie Daniel, Wyatt Smith, Jocelyn Mason, Chloe Daniel, Jenna Mason, Eden Patterson.  Two brothers: Marsh McLelland of Burlington; and Don McLelland of Statesville; sister-in-law Shirley Bunton and husband Leonard of Statesville; brother-in-law Dillon Patterson and wife Lucy of Taylorsville; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 15, 2014 from 11:00 AM-12:45 PM at Rocky Hill Baptist Church, 823 Mountain View Road, Statesville, and the service will follow at 1:00 PM with the Rev. Henry C. Cook, Jr. and Rev. Michael Harrill officiating. Burial will follow at Mountain View United Methodist Church Cemetery, 538 Mountain View Road, Statesville. Pall Bearers are Toby Daniel, Jerry Mason, Scott Patterson, Gus Smith, Kevin Smith, and Wyatt Smith. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Mountain View Cemetery Fund, 121 Miller Cove Lane, Statesville, NC  28625.