Mrs. Catherine Bailey Patterson, affectionately known as Cat, was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend. She transitioned to her eternal home on Saturday, February 21, 2026. She was born in Statesville, N.C., on February 10, 1941, to the late Sol Conway Bailey and Edna Lackey Bailey.
She graduated from Unity High School in 1959 in Statesville, N.C. Catherine worked at Flex Knit and Baili. She later moved on to Intercraft as a second shift supervisor, where she retired. After retirement, Catherine became a substitute teacher, where she continued to embrace and instill wisdom and shower children with love.
At an early age, she was a member of Mt. Vernon A.M.E. Zion Church, where she served as a devoted choir member, Lay Council as well as a Deaconess. Catherine became a Trustee of the church this conference year 2025-2026. Catherine wore many hats in her church as well as on the District Level. She served as YAMS’ Coordinator (Young Adult Missionary Society) on the District Level. She became the president of the Statesville District’s Women Home Overseas Missionary Society (WHOMS) serving for 13 years. She later retired from this position.
Catherine was a member of Unity In Christ Worship Center in which she served there faithfully in many capacities. At Unity In Christ Worship Center, she was the epitome of Christian love. After many years, Catherine later returned to her home church, Mt. Vernon A.M.E. Zion Church, where she remained until God called her home. Catherine was a committed servant of the Lord who cherished her family and friends. She embraced everyone she encountered making them feel like family.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two nieces, Lorie Bailey Ojo and Gilda Gibbs; nephews, David Gibbs Jr., Alfred “Bud” Bailey Jr., and Corey Bailey; siblings, Willie Miller Sr. (Medalee), Berlene Bailey Gibbs (David Gibbs Sr.), Robert Lee Bailey (Virginia Gamble), and Alfred Bailey Sr.; and a sister-in-law, Regina Hampton.
She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 64 years, Eric Fakoury Patterson of the home; two daughters, Cathy Patterson Vazquez and Karen Patterson, both of Conyers, Ga.; a grandson, Eric Cruz Vazquez; one sister, Marva Bailey of Kingsport, Tenn.; three sisters-in-law, Diawatha Patterson, Carla Patterson of Statesville, N.C., and Rosa Bailey of Sumter, S.C.; godchildren, Doninique Bailey and Andre (Latosha) Watson; nieces and nephews, Shakia (David) Sharpe-Rucker, Nicole Patterson (James) McRae, Reginald Gibbs, Jerry (Harriett) Bailey, Harriett Gibbs, Pevas (Teresa) Bailey, James Miller, Barbara Allison, Pam (Ryan) Turner, Brenda Bennett, Kathy Simpson, James “Jimmy” Miller, Sarah (Craig) Sloan, and Harry Phifer; great nieces and great nephews, Bayode’ Ojo, Andre’ Watson, Terrell Harvey, Corey Bailey Jr., Xavier Watson, Amair Bailey, Teronne (Clarence) Traynham, Dominique Bailey, Sierra Bailey, Jazelle Harvey, Natalie Watson, Tanisha Bailey, Paige Bailey, Jamila Bailey, and Kendi Bailey; special cousins, Vanessa Lackey and Mary Turner, and a host of other relatives, the Mt. Vernon A.M.E. Zion Church Family and friends.
The call was sudden, and the shock severe. We little thought the time was near. Those who have lost can only tell, the pain of parting without farewell.
Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Friday, February 27, 2026, at 1 p.m. in the Mary B. Bigham Memorial Chapel of Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home. Reverend Stephen Wingate, Pastor, will officiate and burial will follow in the Mt. Vernon A.M.E. Zion Church Cemetery. Mrs. Patterson will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home where members of the family will receive friends from 12 noon until 1 p.m., but will assemble at the residence at other times.
Visit the Book of Memories for Mrs. Patterson at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.
Rutledge & Bigham Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Catherine Bailey Patterson.