Lady Judith was truly a Grand Lady of Poise, Grace

Lady Judith Kerr Patterson
Lady Judith was truly a Grand Lady of Poise, Grace, Dignity and Class.
-Members of Greater Imani Church
The Cathedral of Faith
“A Beautiful Life”
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
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 spiritfilled 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.
IN
OUR
HEARTS
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
Celebration of Life Services
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
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,
My Sister
"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
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
Flashlights aŌer bedƟme
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 Ɵme 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
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
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
Active Pall Bearers
Adrian Bond
Renardo Bostick
Lofton Wilborn
Douglas W. Smith
Alvin Franklin
Lawrence Faison
Stan McKinney
Realis Sanders
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
Arrangements Entrusted To
E.H. Ford Mortuary
3390 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38116
Programs by New Visions Technical Solutions
901.230.0450
Frank J. Malaterra, Jr.
Rosco Gordon, III
Marrc V. Gordon
Keith M. Gordon
Wilder C. Lee
Grady Dotson, Jr.
Orlando Dotson