Mrs. Mae Willie Patton, 99, of Wilmington, NC, formerly of Lanett, AL, passed away Sunday, March 18, 2018 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice, Wilmington, NC.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. ET at the Greenwood Baptist Church, Lanett, AL with the Rev. James McTier and Pastor Donald Little officiating.

Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.

The remains will lie in state at the church on Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 12:00(noon) until the funeral hour.

The family will received friends on Friday, March 23, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. ET to 7:00 p.m. ET at the M. W. Lee Mortuary.

The family maybe contacted at the residence of Mrs. Fannie Little, 1151 North 16th Court, Lanett, AL.

Mrs. Mae Willie Patton was born to the late William Henry and Mary Lissie Johnson Burton on January 11, 1919, in Chambers County, AL. On Sunday, March 18, 2018, at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Facility, Wilmington, NC, an angel from above came to her bedside and whispered, “Come with me for eternal rest.” Mae Willie received her education and training in a small school which was located in the Greenwood Community. She was employed with the George H. Lanier Memorial Hospital as a Medical Assistant for over 40 years before her retirement. She was joined in Holy Matrimony to Paul Lewis “P. L.” Patton and to this union two children were born.

At an early age, Mae Willie joined Greenwood Baptist Church, Lanett, AL. She was faithful and served her church as an usher and choir member until her health declined. She also served on several auxiliaries and in various capacities. Mae Willie believed that she did not need a title to serve her God nor her church. She was affectionately known as “Mama Nett” and “Aunt Nett” by all her family and friends. She enjoyed her flowers, gardening, and baking her sweet potato pies and banana puddings. She loved to dress up and wear red lipstick, she was never seen out in public without it. Her favorite color was pink and her fingernails were always painted in that color.

Within the last 8 years of her life, upon the passing of her daughter, Mrs. Mae Willie Patton was in the tender loving care of her son and daughter-in-law in Queens, N.Y. and Wilmington, N.C. She received the best of care and never wanted for anything. Whatever her needs, they were generously supplied. During her tenure in New York, she attended Greater St. Stephen's United Church of God, in Brooklyn with her daughter in law and grandchildren. Mother Patton, as the church members called her, was happy to be there and always waved her hands proudly as she was acknowledged. Mother Patton could hold a conversation like no other, astonishing everyone as to how keen her memory was. Mae Willie Patton was a strong, determined woman and never showed any reason to complain. She left a good example of being a tenacious, God fearing woman.

Mrs. Patton was preceded in death by her husband; Paul Lewis Patton, daughter; Shirley Anderson, as well as several siblings, other relatives, and friends.

She leaves to cherish her memories: son; Wallace (Lenora) Patton, Wilmington, NC; one granddaughter; Desiree Patton, Brooklyn, NY; one grandson, Paul Patton, Wilmington, NC, sister; Fannie C. Little, Lanett, AL and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements by M.W. Lee Mortuary of West Point.