Claudia Elizabeth "Betty" Sims Patterson

Claudia Elizabeth “Betty” Sims Patterson

January 18, 1932 – July 1, 2024

Richland, Georgia

Claudia Elizabeth “Betty” Sims Patterson, 92, passed peacefully into everlasting life on July 1, 2024. Betty was born in Coleanor, Alabama, January 18, 1932, and was the first daughter of the late Dr. Alphonso Radford Sims and Dorothy Elizabeth Owen Sims. She attended schools in Richland, Ga and graduated high school from Brenau Academy in Gainesville, Ga. Betty received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in

Lynchburg, VA, where she majored in piano. At Randolph-Macon, Betty became a member of Chi Omega and loved her sorority sisterhood she shared with her mother, sister, daughters, granddaughter and close friends.

Betty was a lifelong student of music and attended the University of Georgia for graduate studies where she studied piano under Dr. Hugh Hodgson. She fondly referred to him as “Mr. Hugh” when telling stories about her favorite professor at the University of Georgia. One highlight as a student under Dr. Hodgson was in 1954 when he asked Betty to accompany Robert Frost on the piano while Mr. Frost recited his poetry to students in the Chapel on campus.

“Mr. Hugh” was excited about Betty’s future as a pianist, but Betty’s plans quickly changed as she chose love and married her sweetheart Robert E. Patterson on June 13, 1954. Robert received his first assignment orders and their adventures as an Air Force couple began in Alaska, a territory that had not yet become a state and from there they were stationed around the world. Betty was an extraordinary wife of a USAF fighter pilot. She gave all her talents wherever they were stationed from playing the organ at the base chapels, teaching elementary school music, serving as President of the Officer Wives Club, and having beautiful dinner parties at her home. She made every home beautiful in their many assignments and was a proud patriot being a part of the “US Air Force Team!” Over their many moves in the Air Force, they entertained dignitaries around the world. When they were stationed in Panama, Betty welcomed and had the honor of greeting the First Lady Rosalyn Carter and hosting a tea for Mrs. Cyrus Vance.

Betty had a special life growing up in the small town of Richland, where friends and church were important and cherished. This is the way she lived her life. In the Air Force, Betty and Robert made wonderful friends and made great efforts to stay in contact with them through the many years. Betty and Robert enjoyed living in Shalimar, FL for 36 years after Air Force retirement. Playing golf, getting together with “First Friday” friends and having the grandchildren to visit and swim in the pool gave her so much joy. Betty even joined the “Hole in One Club” at Lake Lorraine Country Club, having her great shot witnessed by her Rector who was in view of Betty’s marvel shot.

She was very active at St. Simons on the Sound Episcopal Church in Ft. Walton Beach and sang in the choir and served on the Altar Guild. Being an Episcopalian was very important to her.

She was confirmed at Pohick Church in Lorton, Virginia in 1974 and studied at Virginia

Seminary while living in northern Virginia. Betty was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for over 70 years. Most recently in the Council of Safety Chapter, NSDAR in Americus, GA.

Jesus shaped her life at a very young age. Wherever she was, she always shared that God’s peace was with us. Her faith kept her strong and brave throughout her life until the very end.

Along with her life as a devoted wife to Robert, she was the most loving mother to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Betty’s greatest accomplishment was to keep a very close family with her husband, children and grandchildren and as a daughter, sister, aunt and cousin.

Betty is survived by her husband of 70 years, Robert E. Patterson, and her three children,

Claudia Patterson Farmer (Ed), of Myrtle Beach, SC; Robert Brewer Patterson, of Richland, GA,

Julie Patterson Long (Eddie), of Suwanee, GA. Her six grandchildren: Edward Merritt Farmer, Jr. (Margaret Anne) of Charleston, SC; Robert Patterson Farmer (Allison) of Charleston, SC; Robert Campbell Patterson of Atlanta, GA; Elizabeth Sims “Libby” Patterson of Boone, NC; William Edwin Long, III and Robert Patterson Long of Suwanee, GA. Her two great-grandsons: Robert “Bob” Patterson Farmer, Jr. and Edward “Bear” Merritt Farmer, III.

She is also survived by her brother-in-law Robert Monroe Bunker, sisters-in-law Fredonia Patterson Templin, Mary Katherine Kendrick Patterson and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Betty was predeceased by her beloved sisters Susan Sims Dunn and Marion Sims Bunker, her brothers-in-law Hewlette Rhodell Dunn, John Stonie Patterson, William Van Horn Patterson and sister-in-law Pamela Greer Patterson.

The family is grateful to Barbara Ann White for her love, friendship and care of Betty over these past several years.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 5, 2024 at 11:00am at Calvary Episcopal Church in Americus, GA with Reverend Richard Nelson and her nephew, Reverend Robert M. Bunker officiating. The family will receive friends and family with a reception after the service in the Calvary Parish Hall. Burial will follow at Harmony Cemetery at 2:30pm in Richland, GA.

Flowers are lovingly accepted or donations in memory of Betty may be made to Calvary Episcopal Church “Building Fund” 408 S. Lee St. Americus, GA 31709 or the Richland Baptist Church 86 Walker St. Richland, GA.

To sign the online guest book and share your condolences with the family please visit aldridgefuneralservices.com Aldridge Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of these arrangements.