Lady Judith was truly a Grand Lady of Poise, Grace, Dignity and Class.

-Members of Greater Imani Church The Cathedral of Faith

Lady Judith Kerr Patterson

Lady Judith Kerr Patterson, “A beautiful life that finished its course far too soon," is the expressed sentiment echoed by all who loved her. She was the greatly anticipated sixth child of eight children born to the late Mr. James Henry Kerr and Mrs. Rosie Mae Scurlock Kerr, on March 13, 1951 in Memphis, Tennessee. Lady Judith entered into eternal peace in the comfort of her own home, surrounded by love, into the outstretched arms of her Heavenly Father on March 11, 2015. Lady Judith professed Jesus as her Lord and Savior at an early age at New Gilfield Missionary Church pastored by Rev. J. C. Petties, Sr., and devoted her life to serving God in worship, praise and deeds.

Lady Judith attended Ford Road Elementary School and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1969. She graduated from LeMoyne-Owen College with a Bachelor of Science Degree and attained her Masters of Education Degree from The University of Memphis. Lady Judith has an Endorsement in Administration and Supervision from Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, Tennessee. She was a Fellow of the National Faculty Institute and a Mentor of Student Teachers at The University of Memphis.

Lady Judith was a distinguished Educator with the Memphis City School System, and characteristically earned trust and respect from students, parents and colleagues for 36 years, retiring in 2011. She taught first and second grades at Carnes, Wells Station, Evans, and also at Hornlake (MS) Elementary Schools during her exemplary teaching career. At Evans Elementary School, her Principal stated, “Her true sincerity, in all she does, makes her stand above the crowd. From tutoring a child in need, to composing songs, poems, or raps . . . this dynamo works diligently to assist wherever needed to get the job done. Her enthusiasm for the profession is shown in all that she does.”

Lady Judith served as Instructional Supervisor with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001, at Memphis City Schools. She also served in the capacity of Instructional Facilitator at Carnes Elementary School, and was presented with the Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award by the Tennessee Education Association in Nashville, Tennessee. Lady Judith was thereby honored by the House of Representatives of the Ninety-Ninth General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, House Resolution No. 95 for receiving this high honor. She attended the Delta Teachers Academy Institute, and was an Instructor at LeMoyne-Owen College in Photography and also “Survey of Exceptional Children” in the Teacher Education Department.

Lady Judith's professional accomplishments include: Site Visitor for the U.S. Department of Education - National Drug Free Schools Recognition Program and The Rotary Award for Teacher

“A Beautiful Life”

Excellence, presented by the Rotary Club of Memphis, with remarks, “If given the opportunity to observe Judith, you would want your child in her classroom. Modeling, guided by practice and hands-on activities, are used to bring each lesson to life.” She also received the National Drug Free Schools Recognition Award, Music In The Schools Award and the WMC-TV Channel 5 “Thanks to Teacher Award.”

Lady Judith was a member of the Memphis Education Association, Tennessee Education Association, National Education Association, and was the recipient of the Career Ladder III Award, presented by the State Department of Education in Nashville, Tennessee. She was a member of the Memphis Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and was proud to serve in a number of capacities in the leadership of this wonderful service organization, where her three children eagerly participated in a myriad of community service projects, as well as educational and cultural enrichment activities and programs in and around the Greater Memphis Area.

Lady Judith was the loving widow of Bishop J. O. Patterson, Jr., former Chairman of The General Assembly of the Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) and first African American Mayor of the City of Memphis. Lady Judith was First Lady of Pentecostal Temple Church of God In Christ until her husband’s transition to be with the Lord. She remained active and faithful in the Church Of God In Christ at the Jurisdictional and National levels. Lady Judith diligently attended the Church Of God In Christ Annual Holy Convocation in St. Louis, Missouri. Lady Judith considered it to be a distinct blessing to be in the hearts and fellowship of Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. and his lovely wife, Lady Mae. She took part in the COGIC International AIM Convention, Bishops’ Wives Auxiliary, and others. We are comforted in knowing that Lady Judith was a true worshipper of God, returning to her home church, Greater Imani Church The Cathedral of Faith, where she was abundantly recognized, appreciated and loved by the entire congregation who unequivocally treasured her.

Lady Judith served Greater Imani Church diligently for over twenty years, having the distinction of being one of the initial 29 members of this Great Church. Lady Judith, the consummate educator and organizer, was Greater Imani Church’s very first Director of Christian Education and organizer of Vacation Bible School. She served on the Advisory Board of Carter G. Woodson Child Development Center and School for children ages six-weeks to age twelve. She was also one of the first members of the award-winning Greater Imani Mass Choir and the spirit-filled Women's Chorale. Always willing to help with her sweet spirit, her leadership in the Women's Fellowship made it possible to accomplish a series of unparalleled programs and projects that blessed numerous women of all ages in our church and also the Frayser and Raleigh communities and Memphis at large. Lady Judith was instrumental in developing the planning and instructional materials for Greater Imani Church’s youth in the Conflict Management Program and in many other departmental disciplines. She administered the Sacraments during Worship Services and developed devotional material for the Christian Education Department.

Determinedly dedicated to children, Lady Judith tutored hundreds of children of Greater Imani Church with their homework, as well as facilitated ACT sessions. Lady Judith was also a dependable and diligent member of the Greater Imani African Medical Mission Ministry and a faithful contributor to the on-site establishment of a church in Kumasi, Ghana West Africa; an orphanage in Banjul, The Gambia; and a women's clinic in Koalack, Senegal. Working tirelessly in the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, Lady Judith has received many accolades and high praise from many auxiliaries and ministries of Greater Imani Church and from Local, State and National Governments.

Musically inclined since childhood, Lady Judith began playing piano as a teenager at Bethlehem Church of God in Christ and New Gilfield Missionary Baptist Church. During college, Lady Judith considered it an honor to be the pianist for Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church and New Era Baptist Church. Her outward beauty does not compare to her inward beauty as reflected in her compassion for humanity and dedication to serving God. Her mantra on existence was, "Life is not a matter of counting the years, life’s a matter of making the years count."

After her retirement from Memphis City Schools in 2011, Lady Judith continued to serve God by giving back to the community. She became a volunteer with the Spiritual Care Team at Methodist Hospital Germantown. She visited with patients and enlightened them about the Spiritual Care Department and conducted patient and family visitation. She was a member of the Crisis Ministry; the Reeve Ministry; Spiritual Direction Ministry and Stress Management Ministry. She encouraged patients to trust God and would pray and encourage them with hopes of lifting their burdens and easing their pain.

Lady Judith was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry Earl Kerr and Jimmy B. Kerr; two sisters, Barbara Kerr Gordon and Melva Dean Malaterra; two sisters-in-law, Debora Todd Kerr (Ross) and Dorothy Brown Kerr (Henry); and a brother-in-law, Rosco Gordon (Barbara) of New York City.

Lady Judith, leaves to cherish her memory, three wonderful children, Philip Dotson, Tiffany Dotson, and Brian Dotson. Though departed, her radiant memory will forever remain in the hearts of her precious daughter-in-law, Cassandra Dotson (Philip) and her two dear grandsons, Philip, and Bryce. Lady Judith is also survived by a devoted brother, Ross S. Kerr; two sisters who absolutely adore her, Brenda Kerr Johnson and Linda Kerr Adkins; three loving brothers-in-law, Pastor Maurice A. Johnson, Dr. Bill Adkins and Frank Joseph Malaterra of Connecticut and a sister-in-law, Inez Reed Kerr. A host of Nephews, Nieces, Cousins, Uncles, Aunts and Friends also remain to treasure her memory and magnificent legacy. All who are in Christ will see her again.

We thought of you with love today. But that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday. And days before that too.

We think of you in silence. We often speak your name.

Now all we have is memories. And your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake.

With which we'll never part.

God has you in his keeping.

We have you in our hearts...

-unknown

Phil, Tiffany and Brian

We love you so much Mommy

IN HEARTS OUR

LADY JUDITH KERR PATTERSON Facilitator, Elder Michael Jones, Overseer COGIC National Adjutancy

Organ Prelude……………………………………………………………………….…...Moses Tyson

Musical Selection……………………………………………...….…. Holy, Holy, Holy/ Total Praise Greater Imani Choir

The Processional

Apostles/Bishops Clergy

Deacons Family

The Sealing Old Testament Scripture…………………………………………………...Overseer Marion Douglas Greater Imani Church

New Testament Scripture……………………………………………………..Pastor Douglas Brooks Greater Imani Church

Prayer………………………………………………………………….….Apostle Benjamin L. Smith Miracle Temple Ministries, Inc.

Musical Selection………………..…………………………...……“When the Saints Go to Worship” Greater Imani Choir

Expressions (3 minutes please)

Congressman Steve Cohen, Representative 9th Congressional District

Mayor A. C. Wharton, Mayor, City of Memphis

Bishop Brandon Porter, General Board, COGIC

Bishop Joel Lyles, General Secretary, COGIC

Bishop James Hunt, Chairman General Assembly, COGIC

Bishop David Hall, Tennessee Headquarters Jurisdiction

Celebration of Life Services

Expressions Cont.

Bishop William Wright, Tennessee Southwest Jurisdiction

Bishop Edward Stephens, Executive Council, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship

Evangelist Louise Patterson, Bountiful Blessings Ministries

Resolutions

Willie Brooks, Shelby County Commission, District 6

Dr. Joris M. Ray, Assistant Superintendent Shelby County Schools Musical Selection………………………………………………………………..….“All in His Hands” Greater Imani Choir Words of Comfort to the Family…………………………………………...Pastor Maurice A. Johnson Memphis Christian Center

The Life of Judith Video Presentation

Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………..Sylvia Johnson Memphis Christian Center

Solo………………………………………………………………………………………..Moses Tyson Organist

Eulogy……………………………………………………………………………...Apostle Bill Adkins Greater Imani Church

Musical Exit Selection……………………………………………… “Take Me To The King Refrain” Greater Imani Choir

Recessional

Internment Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis, TN

My Sister Judith,

Flashlights a er bed me So we could talk some more

Laughing, playing, sharing secrets Never heard before

Riding on the Zippin Pippin O what a thrilling ride

With wobbly legs and lump in throat We’d stand in line, without chide

Then we put down childish things New experiences in store

Our love maturing and deeper Than we’d ever known before

In life’s most important moments You were always there

With smiles, prayers and words of wisdom

To show your loving care

Your walk of faith, love and courage Is an example to us all

You put your faith in Jesus And yielded to His call

Now your me on earth is over Our loss, but Heaven’s gain

For we sorrow not as those without hope

For we look to see you again

With arms wide open you were welcomed

Into joy unspeakable without end I am blessed and thank my Heavenly

Father For allowing you to be my Big sister

and Friend

Judith I love you dearly, Your sister Brenda

"My Ace"

Judy, As I think of you:

Hopscotch § Foursquare

Dodgeball § Playing jacks

Jump rope § Riding bikes

Growing up § Hairstyles

Dressing up § On the phone

Making plans § Going out

Having fun § Education

Getting married § Raising children

Laughing § Grieving

Life's lessons § World travel

Grandsons

Exceptional experiences

What we did § All our lives

We'll meet again § You and Me

Together again § For eternity...

Hello Ace!

Never goodbye.

Loving you always and forever

"Your Ace and Baby Sister"

Linda

My Sister

Your loving kindness and

your smile was easy to see.

What a loving sister you are

to me.

Through all my thoughts,

my decisions and fears,

I'll use you as my key.

Because in my heart, you'll

always be!!!

I love you and I miss you.

Your big brother,

Ross

Acknowledgements The family of the late Judith Kerr Patterson would like to express our sincere gratitude for the prayers, presence, cards, calls and other expressions of kindness. Your presence here today is a symbol of the love and care that you have for our family. We thank you for Celebrating her Life and her Legacy...May God grant to you perfect peace and we ask for your continued prayers and love.

The Family

Special Thanks

Active Pall Bearers

Everyone contributed in some way in helping us during our time of loss whether through calls, texts, hugs or prayers. We would like to extend a special thanks to the following people who have assisted us in so many

ways:

Sis. Donna Yates

Sis. Tina Wilkins Bro. Victor Reiss Sis. Shirley Perry Bro. Arvis Nichols

Board of Trustees, Greater Imani Church, The Cathedral of Faith Methodist Hospital Memphis Christian Center Greater Imani Church, The Cathedral of Faith Sis. Ella Mathis Sis. Lucy Richardson

Adrian Bond Renardo Bostick Lofton Wilborn Douglas W. Smith

Alvin Franklin Lawrence Faison Stan McKinney Realis Sanders

Arrangements Entrusted To E.H. Ford Mortuary

3390 Elvis Presley Blvd. Memphis, TN 38116

Programs by New Visions Technical Solutions

901.230.0450

Honorary Pall Bearers Philip T. R. Dotson Brian R. Dotson Dr. Ronne' A. Adkins Christopher G. Adkins William A. Adkins, III Marcus A. Johnson Marlon R. Kerr

Frank J. Malaterra, Jr. Rosco Gordon, III Marrc V. Gordon Keith M. Gordon Wilder C. Lee Grady Dotson, Jr. Orlando Dotson