Dorothy May Roberts Patton

WEAVERVILLE–The beloved Matriarch of our family, Dorothy May Roberts Patton, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 21, 2018 following a prolonged illness. A lifelong resident of Western North Carolina, Dorothy, or “Dorty”, as she was lovingly known by her family, was born Dorothy May Roberts in Alexander, NC on July 16, 1927, the third of seven children of her parents, Jennie Evans Roberts and Staley Page Roberts. Her siblings were Ted, Howard Evans, Edith Calhoun, Page, Jr., Millard and Stella. Dorothy attended grade school and high school at Red Oak Elementary School and Red Oak High School, respectively. She was active in sports in school and played on the Red Oak High School Girls’ basketball team. Attending college was a dream she had, however circumstances did not allow it at the time of her graduation from high school. She remained throughout her long life an immensely curious person and an avid reader of books of all types. She passed this curiosity and love of reading on to her children and grandchildren. Upon graduating from high school in 1944, with WWII still going on, Dorothy went to work for the telephone company in Weaverville, NC. Dorothy married Cecil Patton on July 19, 1946. He preceded her in death, passing away in 1993. Dorothy and Cecil had five children: Janie Patton Jenkins and husband Dwight, Mars Hill, NC; Cecilia Patton-Bolman and husband Chip, Colorado; Judy Kay Patton, Weaverville, NC; Sharon Lee Patton, Weaverville, NC; and Eric Cecil Patton and wife Dedra, Minnesota. Dorothy was always trying to help people less fortunate than herself. Dorothy and Cecil’s children attended Red Oak Elementary, where she served as President of the Red Oak PTA. Dorothy had six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Grandchildren: Eric Cecil Patton, Carson Leigh Patton, Jenny Lind Davis, Bonny Davis Wilson, Paige Roberts Bolman Smith, Melissa Jean Bolman Boehner; and great grandchildren: Tori, Braden, Haley, Hayden, Harrison, Scarlett Mae, Cecilia, Luna Mae. After all of her children graduated from high school, and inspired by her own mother, who had been a home health worker in Madison County, Dorothy revisited her childhood dream of higher education. She enrolled at AB Tech, where she obtained a degree as an LPN. For many years thereafter, she worked as an LPN at Memorial Mission Hospital on the Orthopedic Surgery floor, where she is still remembered for her skill and compassion. That period of her life was, by her own testimony, the most gratifying for her. Her influence as a medical caregiver extends far beyond her time at Mission Hospital. Three of Dorothy’s daughters became nurses, and two completed advanced degrees in nursing- one a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and one a Masters in Nursing. The two who remain in North Carolina have both had their careers at Memorial Mission, just as did their mother. Dorothy’s inspiration has even extended to her grandchildren, two of whom are nurses as well, practicing in Colorado. That is four generations of nurses in this family, and Dorothy is the constant beacon of light that links them all together. Like many noble women of “The Greatest Generation”, who helped keep the country going during WWII, while their men were away fighting, and helped rebuild it afterward, Dorothy provided the strength and love and resilience that her family and her community required. Throughout her life, Dorothy lived a life of quiet heroism, always serving as an example of a life well-lived and in the service of others. She was known far and wide as a lover of canines, and rescued countless numbers of homeless dogs of all breeds. She passed this trait on to her children, who are continuing to demonstrate Dorothy’s love of animals, each in their own way. These are among the many reasons why she was so loved and revered in life and is missed so deeply at her passing. The family will hold a celebration of Dorothy’s life at a later date. The family will receive friends 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 23, 2018 at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Avenue, Weaverville. It is requested that any memorials be given in her name to CarePartners Hospice, the Jupiter Fire Department, or any eligible animal rescue organization. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. Patton’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.