Dr. Altheria Smith Patton

Passed 07/10/2024

Obituary For Dr. Altheria Smith Patton

Dr. Altheria Smith Patton, a resident of Anson County since 1947, has been an exceptional and inspirational personality in Anson County’s education, community service and arts. Born January 23, 1927, in Warsaw, North Carolina, her parents were Joshua Willard Smith and Lula Sutton Smith. She accepted her wings Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at the phenomenal age of 97.

Personal

Dr. Patton is the widow of the late Morris Patton, Sr., also an educator and parents of three children, Morris Patton, Jr. (deceased) (Genetta Williams), Mitchell Patton (Hattie) and Anja Patton-Evans, M.D. (Ray); 10 grandchildren: Timotheus Patton, Althea Nika Patton, Mitchell Patton, Jr., Jennifer Patton, Nevada Patton, Tamara Evans, Ryan Evans, Markesce Patton-Williams (Kyerre), Marhonda Liles (Timothy), Nashon Richardson; 11 great-grandchildren: Mahogany Burns, Malasia Patton, Maziah Patton, Nautica Patton, Jeniah Riley, and Miracle Riley, Monifah Liles Jones (Johnny), Timothy Liles, Jr. (Brittany), Shazmine Liles, Montreal Liles, and Tashawn Liles; and 17 great-great grandchildren.

She is survived by two siblings, Bessie Smith Dozier (Richard) and Willard Allen Smith (Fannie). She was preceded in death by her parents Joshua Willard Smith and Lula Sutton Smith as well as siblings: Othonia Smith Hill, Lila Smith Williamson, James William Smith, Nora Smith Miller, Marie Smith McCalop, Sarah Z. Smith, and Argie Smith Blackmore. She has a host of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was the proud Matriarch of the Joshua Willard Smith family.

In 2015, Dr. Patton hosted the 50th Family Reunion of this vast clan of 6 generations. She has been the J.W. Smith family historian, publishing family newsletters that were distributed to families at the annual J.W. Smith family reunions since 1969. She put together a book, Through Joshua Willard Smith A Legacy Is Born: A Chronology of Family and Faith 1965 – 2018. This book contained the family newsletters from 1969 though 2015 as well as pictures and other family information. Dr. Patton had this book printed and she arranged for a copy of this book to be distributed to each individual J.W. Smith family member.

Passion & Calling

Dr. Patton began teaching immediately after graduating from North Carolina A&T University, at then-Polkton Colored High School. This opportunity at a segregated school was the beginning of an accomplished 60-year career in education. Dr. Patton has been a trailblazer as a teacher, counselor, administrator and as the first African- American principal of Anson Junior High School, first African American female Associate Superintendent of Anson County Schools, the first African American female vice-chair of the Anson County School Board and was instrumental in establishing the Alternative Learning School - Anson Challenge Academy, a concept that originated from her dissertation. Her life and career of courage and perseverance has been a shining example to thousands of young men and women to achieve their dreams, without fear. She was also Adjunct Faculty at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, at South Piedmont Community College and Student Support Services Consultant for Chesterfield-Marlboro Technical College in Chesterfield, South Carolina.

Lifelong Learner

Dr. Patton holds a Doctor of Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1990); a Master of Arts from Columbia University (1952) and a Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina A&T University (1947).

Lifetime Achievements

Dr. Patton’s community service is evident through her work with numerous boards, clubs and organizations. She has served as Director of Christian Education (Children Division) for the Wadesboro- Monroe District of the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church; Trustee, Sunday School Teacher, Usher Board member, Class Leader and Director of Christian Education for Kesler Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church; Educator Emeritus to the East Polkton School Alumni Association; Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Order of the Eastern Star, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Initiated into the Alpha Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in 1945 at N.C. A & T University;), National Association of University Women, Wadesboro Town Council, Wadesboro Rotary Club, Director, Anson County Chamber of Commerce 1991-1993, Anson County Historical Society, Anson County Arts Council, Kesler Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church Century Club Member 1970-1973, and North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) Board of Directors 1974-77.

She also served as president of NCAE District 8 Division of Principals and Administrators and as Member of NCAE State Resolutions Committee. She served as a member of the Region VI North Carolina Teaching Fellows Regional Screening Committee in 1988. She also served in the North Carolina School Boards Association, North Carolina Retired School Personnel, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; She served as chairwoman of Anson County Social Services Board 1987-1990, Trustee for South Piedmont Community College, Evaluator for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) on Accreditation and School Improvement, Director for the Wadesboro Branch of Anson Bank and Trust (now Uwharrie Bank), Director for the Wadesboro Branch of United Carolina Bank, and Director for the Wadesboro Branch of Branch Banking and Trust (Now Truist Bank). to name a few.

Lifetime Acknowledgements

Her lifetime awards and recognitions are numerous and notable for the renaming of Sikes Avenue in Wadesboro, N.C. to Dr. Altheria S. Patton Way in her honor on January 20, 2024, and January 23rd was proclaimed as Dr. Altheria S. Patton Day by the Wadesboro Mayor and Town Council. She became a charter member of the Alpha Alpha Chi Omega Chapter of A.K.A. Sorority, Inc. in 2021 and she was a Diamond Soror as well as a life member of A.K.A. Sorority, Inc. She was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2016 by Governor Pat McCrory and received a personal congratulatory letter from then- President Barrack Obama, acknowledging her commitment to education and to Anson County.

She was the Wadesboro Optimist Club Woman of the Year 1982. She received the NAACP Distinguished Service Award in the Field of Education in 1982. She received the North Carolina Association of Educators Special Service Award 1974 – 1977. She was the Bowman Senior High School Teacher of the year in 1975. She was the Kesler Chapel AME Zion Church Woman of the year in 1975. She was a charter member of the Wadesboro N.A.U.W. in 1972.

Dr. Patton has traveled to more than thirty countries and has been acknowledged by international and national groups that include United States Representative to the World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession (now Education International), Rotary International - Paul Harris Fellow and National Association of University Women - Woman of the Year in 1983. She collaborated with Irene Hailey Harrington, author, to complete her historical fiction book, A Long Journey Home: The Dr. Altheria S. Patton Story, published in December 2023.

Her Words to Live By

Nelson Mandela stated that: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Over the course of her career, Dr. Patton has taught and counseled thousands of students, many of whom are changing the world through careers in medicine, law, business, education, engineering, sports and the arts. As she is fond of saying: “Anson County Schools have produced a bevy of qualified professionals, who are doing great things, and they all got their start here in this often discounted, rural county. We have done some good things here.”

The Services to Celebrate Dr. Patton's Life and Legacy will be on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., on the campus of Anson Middle School (Gymnasium), 832 US Highway 52, Wadesboro, North Carolina. The interment will be in the Patton Family Plot, Westview Memorial Park, Polkton, North Carolina.

The Patton Family will greet family and friends on Friday, July 19, 2024, from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Smith's Funeral Home, on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Anson Middle School, and at all other times at the family residence, 515 Dr. Altheria S. Patton Way, Wadesboro, North Carolina.

The Services will be live-streamed on Facebook on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at H. C. Smith Funeral Home at 10:45 am.

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