Virginia Ponder Patterson

Virginia Ponder Patterson, age 97, of Decatur, Georgia, passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday, January 12th after a brief illness following a stroke. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 26, 1921. She was the daughter of Spears Thomas Ponder and Clyde Baxter Ponder. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Edward Patterson (Pat); brother, Spears Thomas Ponder, Jr.; sisters, Evelyn Richardson, Elizabeth Ashcraft and Doris Ambrose. She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Golden and son-in-law John Golden; granddaughters Ashley Sammons Shue and her husband Jeff Shue, and Cindi Sammons Sartain and her husband Jeff Sartain; great-grand children Andrew Shue, Emily Shue, John Shue, Samantha Shue, Preston Sartain, and Kelly Sartain; nieces Kay Ashcraft Ball and Laura Roan; nephews Fred Ashcraft Jr., Michael Ashcraft and Thomas Roan.

During World War II she worked for the Army Fourth Service Command, office of the Adjutant General. In 1965 when the First National Bank Building opened in Decatur, she went to work for Gwinnett Industries, assisting Clark Harrison in leasing and management for 15 years. In 1981, she started working part-time for Dan Patillo and Decatur TownCenter Associates.

She has been a member of Decatur Presbyterian Church since 1949. She was a 30 year member of The Reader’s Club and a 15 year volunteer for Emory Hospital Auxillary. She was also a member of numerous bridge clubs, a birthday club, and a wine group.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 19th at 11:00 am at Decatur Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Memorial Fund at Decatur Presbyterian Church, 205 Sycamore Street, Decatur, Georgia, 30030.