Sarah Louise Patillo

05/24/1943 - 12/06/2023

Obituary For Sarah Louise Patillo

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Saturday, December 16, 2023 Time: 1:00 PM Union RZUA Church, 252 Old Poole Road, Alberta, VA 23821 Rev. Solomon Wilkins, Pastor

MRS. SARAH LOUISE GATLING PATILLO, closed her earthly chapter and returned to the one who loved her the most on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 11:21 AM at her home and at peace with her son. She was born May 24, 1943 to the late Rev. William and Bettie Lee Stigall Gatling in Mecklenburg County, VA. God gives purpose in life, even to the end. Only God knows what is best, and His timing, even in the matter of one’s death, is perfect. She was also preceded in death by her siblings- Lawrence Taylor, Sherman Gatling, Clunner Williams, Simon Williams, Mac Williams, Hester Williams, and a first cousin who was reared like a brother- Ross “Tennie Pettus” Gatling.

At an early age she was baptized and joined Union R.Z.U.A. Church, Meredithville, VA, where her dad, Rev. William Gatling once served as pastor. She was quite active in her church activities and was a member of the Pastor’s Aide, Missionary, Mother Board, and Usher Board before her health began to decline. She loved telling people that she was a member at Union and that her dad was a preacher. She would say that people often state that preacher’s children are the worst children, but I don’t know about that. Sarah really took pride in her role as an usher at Union. After Union service was over, she would often attend several other churches, and when Union didn’t have service, she would attend many other churches. She would never miss a conference that was held annually at the R.Z.U.A. Headquarters, because she knew she would meet with countless cousins, which many of them were pastors.

Sarah met her love, James “Bay” Patillo, Sr. and they were married on July 24, 1965 in Mecklenburg County, VA and to this union, one girl and one boy were born. She was the matriarch of her family and there are no words that can express the position she held within our hearts. There were countless life lessons taught to Sarah by her parents. Often with life lessons in general, they’ve learned in retrospect, long after we need them. The good news is that her family and friends can benefit from her experiences and lessons learned. Sarah was educated in the Lunenburg County Schools and she had to walk miles daily to catch the bus. She balanced working on the farm, picking cotton, and working in tobacco. She learned years ago that “you can’t do anything without God,” “don’t play with the bible,” “respect will take you farther than money,” and “everybody needs enjoyment.” Those lessons will remain with her forever.

Sarah unconditionally loved those around her, and she loved to live and laugh. She was the type of person who never met a stranger and could talk the horns off a Billy Goat. She always loved to visit her family, friends, church members, and the sick and shut-in, and go on Atlantic City trips. She always thought that she was loved by everyone and after visiting people, she would say “they sure do love me” or “they think something of me.” She also loved visiting Virginia Beach, which was one of her favorite places and where she took her first boat ride in 2022. Sarah also had a love for fixing hair “old school style” with a straighten comb and curlers that she would put on the stove to get hot. She would fix hair for family and friends, free of charge, and sometimes she would accept a few dollars, but would give most of it back. She also had a talent as a seamstress and would make clothes and perform alterations for people. Kenbridge Sports Wear, LaCrosse Sports Wear, Soul City, Jon Bill, Virginia Quilting, Sleet Sports Wear, Dixie Dress and Brodnax Millls were some of the places where she exhibited her seamstress skills. She loved to cook, and family and friends would often ask her to prepare blackberry rolls, grated sweet potato pudding, rice pudding, corn pudding, banana pudding, and pasta salads. After she finished preparing those foods, she would say, “I mean I put a hurting on it.” She often visited her family and friends, and the sick and shut-ins. More than anything, she enjoyed helping people and she would clean houses and sit with people and charge almost nothing. When people offered or gave her things, she would never say “no.” She appreciated everything no matter the condition and if you have ever given her anything, she still has it.

Sarah leaves to celebrate her memories, the light of her life- two devoted children: Dr. Vanessa Patillo-Bumpass and her faithful son-in-law, Bryant, South Hill, VA; and James Tyler “Junnie Buck” Patillo, Jr., of the home and his faithful wife, Tenia Gray of Virginia Beach, VA; one loyal grandson she reared, Romel Clary, Sr., South Hill, VA; three great-grandchildren-Romel “RJ” Clary, Jr., Victoria, VA; Aubrey an Aspen Clary, both of Lawrenceville, VA; one devoted sister-in-law, Gloria Williams, Dundas, VA; one loving aunt- Deaconess Lottie Morgan, Dundas, VA; one dedicated special friend- Sherman Price, Castonsville, MD; one supportive oldest cousins- Louise Jackson, Petersburg, VA; one caring nephew- Darryl Williams, Phildelphia, PA; five bonus sons- Charles Patillo, South Hill, VA., Ray Harrison, Jackie Patillo, Robert “Be-Bo” Patillo, all of LaCrosse, VA; and Hector Lopez (Stephanie) Christiansburg, VA; one kind bonus niece-Samantha “Sam” Patillo, LaCrosse, VA; one kind bonus nephew, William “Spencer” Walker, Jr., of LaCrosse, VA; eight devoted first cousins she treasured and grew up like siblings-James “Sondus” Stigall (Rosetta) Blackstone, VA; Lula Mae Pegram, Dundas, VA; Shirley Creedle, Petersburg, VA; Cora “Brannie Gail” Johnson, Pikesville, MD; Leslie Stigall, Brodnax, VA; Gloria Stigall, Prince George, VA; Shirley Evans, South Hill, VA; and Mary “Bud” Hawthorne, District Heights, MD; one devoted Deacon- Sargent and his devoted wife, Deaconess Jo Ann Christian, Alberta, VA; six lifelong best friends- Lucy B. Carter, Chase City, VA; Alice Robinson, Bracey, VA; Roselle “Duck” Tisdale, Richmond, VA; Celeste Pearson and Lena Shaw of Bracey, VA; Dorothy Mae Gaines, LaCrosse, VA; Seven extended family/friends- Wilnette Carter, Chase City, VA; Diana Whitfield and Amanda Weaver, both of LaCrosse, VA; Darlene Royster, Oxford, NC; Larry Bumpass, Creedmoor, NC; Audrey Gray, Norfolk, VA; Ola B. Green (Cleveland), Alberta, VA; one extraordinary caregiver, Celithia Coleman, Brodnax, VA; an extraordinary hairdresser, Marjorie (Dick) Crayton, Brodnax, VA; a devoted neighbor, Patricia (Ervin) Moore, LaCrosse, VA; Union RZUA Church Family; Faith Church Without Walls Family; Pleasant Hill RZUA Church Family and a host of other relatives and friends. Life will never be the same without Sarah here, but she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories.