Mr. Winford Floyd "Pat" Patterson, 89,of China Grove, passed away quietly at his home on Monday, April 20, 2026, surrounded by his family.

A funeral is scheduled for 2:00 pm Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Pine Ridge Baptist Church. Pastor Mike Roper and Rev. Nelson Wright will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park in China Grove.

The family will receive friends at the church from 12:30 to 1:45 pm prior to the service.

Pat was born April 22, 1936 in Rutherford County. He was a son of the late Humphery Patterson and Belle Thomas Patterson. He was a veteran of the United States Army and a faithful member of Pine Ridge Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for many years. Pat was employed by Cheerwine Bottling Company for 48 years, retiring at the age of 80. One of his favorite pastimes was mowing his yard, a simple pleasure he truly enjoyed. He loved sharing his faith in Jesus with everyone he met and found great joy in spending time with his family. A special tradition he cherished was reading the Christmas story each year, reminding his family-especially his grandchildren-of the true meaning of Christmas.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in his wife of 64 years, Faye Swanner Patterson; two grandsons, Gary Michael Patterson, Jr. and Taylor Christian Sloop; three sisters, Helen Tate, Grace Sechler, and Martha Pratt; and two brothers, Clifton and Ben Patterson.

He is survived by his daughter, Teresa Patterson Sloop and husband Tim of China Grove; son, Gary Michael Patterson, Sr. and wife Debbie of China Grove; five grandchildren, Skip Sloop and wife Shannon, Terry Sloop and wife Liz, Jatana Patterson Powers, Tabby Sloop Ervin and husband Justin, Ree Sloop Robinson and husband Jason; 23 great grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Patricia Mastrangeli for all the love and care she has shown to Winford for over two years and also thank the staff of Gentiva Hospice for there help and kindness.