Essie Mae Patterson departed her life on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at Wendover Hospice House, in Shelby, NC. She was born on May 1, 1944 in Cleveland County, NC, to the late Bessie Mae Patterson McClinton and Ernest Wilson.

Essie was a member of Light Oak Baptist Church where she enjoyed attending.

She was employed with White Oak Manor for 30 years as a housekeeper.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two sisters, Darlene Fears and Francis Tate.

She leaves to cherish fond memories to her only child, son Donald Patterson (Mary) of Shelby; four sisters, Louise Montgomery of Philadelphia, PA, Betty Hogue of Cleveland, OH, Lyndea McClinton and Christy Hopper (Harold) both of Shelby; three brothers, Jessie McClinton and Bobby McClinton both of Shelby and Kenneth Jones (Barbara) of Cherryville, NC; eight grandchildren which include special granddaughter, Jalisa Tate of the home; thirty-two great-grandchildren; eleven great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 1:00 PM at Light Oak Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. Burial will take place at Sunset Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 Noon until 1:00 PM at the church. Condolences can be expressed online www.enloemortuary.com. Enloe Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.