Matilda Lucretia (Patterson) Housey

I was born on September 9, 1943. I was the fourth of eight children to the late Ollie and Wilhelmina Patterson Jr. in Savannah, Georgia. If you are reading this, you know my sunset. Along with my parents, I was preceded by two brothers, Robert Lee and Vernell Patterson, and one nephew, Delvin Raywood Patterson. I raised three sons whom I am very proud of and their accomplishments. I am equally proud of my twelve grandchildren. My love will be with them always. As a child, I joined St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Miami, Florida, where I was baptized with water. Later, as I grew in the spirit, thank God, I was baptized with the Holy Spirit and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. My church home in Florida was New Life World Outreach Ministries in Pembroke Pines, pastored by my youngest brother Nathaniel Patterson; here in Savannah, New Generation Cathedral Full Gospel Baptist Church was my spiritual home. God placed in my heart a small ministry to acknowledge church members' birthday with a greeting card on the behalf of the Pastor/Bishop. I pray that my doing so warmed their hearts as much, or more, as it did mine. I fully enjoyed doing this and faithfully performed it until midway through the year of 2017, when my fingers became too numb to continue. My education started here in Savannah at West Broad Street Elementary School. The family relocated to Miami, Florida at beginning of the school term in the year of 1957. Not wanting to go, I was promised beautiful palm trees lining each side of the street. Instead, I saw houses sitting up high on concert blocks and piles of curbside rubbish for pickup on each street corner. Having to make the best of it, I graduated from Booker T. Washington Jr./Sr. High School in 1962 and my adult journey began. I worked several places: however, the most memorable, was Dade County Unemployment Office in Miami, FL, Chatham County School Board/Food Service here in Savannah, and the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Fairfax, VA. I loved my birthplace of Savannah, Georgia and my life journey made a complete circle back to it. In the year of 1990, I moved to Fairfax, Virginia, living there with my son Onzy. He and his wife gave me the chance to bond with their children and enjoy the beauty of another state and what it had to offer. In the year1995, I moved back to Savannah, Georgia to attend to my aging father. In the year of 2004, I moved back to Miami, Florida to help my son Vincent with the care of his children while he and his wife tended to their hectic nursing schedules. After my retirement in 2005, I reached a point in my life when I wanted to live alone. So more than half my stay this time in Miami, I lived alone being accountable for myself. When I got an epiphany, “I can go home”. So in the year of 2006, I moved back to Savannah, Georgia. This time to enjoy the rest of my life. Since my children and other family members were in so many different locations each move gave me the chance to spend quality time with my sons, grandchildren, siblings, relatives, and numerous acquired friends. I cherished each moment of my life with all of them. To my children, please do not weep for me for I am now in the arms of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.

I leave to rejoice in my homegoing celebration. Three sons, Onzy Warren Elam (Haymarket, VA), Vincent Eric Patterson (Pembroke Pines, FL), and Antwan Bernard Housey (Savannah, GA); one daughter-in-law, Jetta Housey (Savannah, GA); twelve grandchildren, Monique, Onzy Jr, Amber, and Jordan Elam (Haymarket, VA) Brianne, Shannon, and Joshua Patterson (Pembroke Pines, FL) Alexis (Savannah, GA), Antwan Jr, Nyheem, Aymani, and Alyla Housey (McDonough, GA); two sisters, Ollie Mae Berry (Miami, FL) and Loretta Latimer (Fairburn, GA); one brother-in-law, Gregory Latimer (Fairburn, GA); three brothers, Herman Patterson (Savannah, GA), Learly Patterson (Miami, FL), and Pastor Nathaniel Patterson (Miramar, FL); one sister-in-law, Cassandra Patterson (Miramar, FL); seven nephews, thirteen nieces, and a host of family members, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 3:00pm-5:00pm Friday, January 5, 2018 from Glennville Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be conducted 11:00am, Saturday, January 6, 2018 at New Generation Cathedral Full Gospel Church, 2020 Tennessee Ave, Savannah GA. 31404. Services will conclude at the church.

Pallbearers will be Onzy Warren Elam, Jr.,  Keith Lynn Patterson, Jr., Jordan Luke Elam, Tyrone Patterson, Nathaniel Patterson, Jr., Nicholas Patterson. Honorary Pallbearers will be  Onzy Warren Elam, Vincent Eric Patterson, Antwan Bernard Housey, Geimere Gregory Latimer, Vernell Patterson, Jr. and Keith Patterson.

Glennville Funeral Home is serving the Housey family.