The Life and Times of Earl Victor Patterson Sr.

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The Life and Times of Earl Victor Patterson Sr.

While researching and meditating on the history of my paternal ancestry over the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to draw many connections between the life I have experienced to date and the lives of Patterson families as far removed as five generations. It has been eye-opening to flesh out the seeds of my lineage, discovering the foundations on which I was raised and reflecting on the stability of family and community back then. Family themes, such as the importance of hard work, education, selflessness, honor, religion, athletics, and community, have been gradually sewn in my young life by the collective lives and experiences of such men as: my great-great-great grandfather, William Andrew Patterson, his son, Eusebius, his son, Earl Victor, his son, E.V. Jr., and finally, his son and my father, Earl Victor Patterson III. I have chosen to loosely center my writing on the life of my late great-grandfather, E.V. Sr.. It seems to me that "Pop", as I have always heard him referred to, represents the common denominator between my "ancient" past and today. Additionally, his life most directly highlights the aforementioned family themes that have characterized the Patterson family for ages.

Pop was born in Alamance County, North Carolina, on December 15, 1890. Born to Eusebius ("Sebe") and Etta Albright Patterson, he was the oldest of seven children. He had one full brother, W. H. Patterson, and one full sister, Sarah Etta, who died in infancy; he also had three half brothers and two half sisters: Dean Eusebius, William Wayne, Walter McAdoo, Irene, and Audrey. Pop's mother died when he was eleven.

As my grandfather, "PauPau", recalls, Pop grew up on a small farm i...

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...e of the largest construction firms in Burlington at the time. Annie began volunteering at the Red Cross a lot, running information services, wrapping bandages, etc… Pop and Biggy retired sometime after the war, and spent the last 20 years of their life caring for each other and relaxing. Carolina athletics, periodic visits from relatives, and family trips to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina highlighted these later years.

When Earl finished his duties in the Army war effort he briefly returned home before joining his uncle in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Together, they built a fairly lucrative road contracting company throughout southeast Louisiana. He soon married Frances Caroline Lenhard ("MaMa") of Baton Rouge. They raised two sons, and one daughter: Earl V. Patterson III (my father), Troy Lenhard Patterson, and Caroline Ann "Sister" Patterson.

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