Johnnie Leroy Patton's Obituary
Johnnie Leroy Patton, 91, of Spotsylvania County, VA, went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 19, 2026 at Mary Washington Hospital from complications related to a recent cancer diagnosis. He was born on April 8, 1935 to John Wesley and Annie Elizabeth Rodgers Patton in Fredericksburg, VA and resided his entire life in the area.
Johnnie had a full and blessed life. He grew up in the Salem Church and Five-Mile-Fork areas of Spotsylvania along what is now the congested Route 3 corridor. He was fortunate to have spent much of his childhood and formative years with a loving and close-knit family, including his grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins, all who helped shape the caring and giving man he became. From them, Johnnie learned valuable life skills and lessons that allowed him to overcome disabilities and challenges he faced throughout his life and that he passed onto his children for them to succeed. His mind and heart were full of happy memories and stories of time with family and friends. He played on the grounds of the Old Salem Church and the numerous nearby farms, including his aunt’s dairy farm.
Johnnie could name many of the families that lived on farms that have since been replaced by commercial development on Plank Road. As an adolescent, he worked on some of those farms. As a young adult, he delivered groceries for the Freeman Grocery Store in Fredericksburg. He still remembered many of the families and where they lived. As an adult, Johnnie was employed by and retired from Boise Cascade Lumber Company in Springfield, VA. He also drove a bus for Colonial Transit, transporting Fredericksburg area commuters to and from Northern VA before starting and ending his work day at Boise.
Johnnie was a member of Shady Grove United Methodist Church and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #4123. His hobbies and interests included dancing; listening to gospel, country, and bluegrass music; John Deere tractors; the Washington Redskins (he never adopted the Commanders name); the Washington Nationals, and the Earnhardt and Joe Gibbs racing teams. He enjoyed maintaining his home and property, where he would spend hours meticulously mowing the grass; when he wasn’t able to do so, he would supervise from his deck. Above all, he cherished helping and giving to others and spending time with family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Johnnie was preceded in death by his loving wife and soulmate of 53 years, Edna Mae Oliver Patton; son, Gerald Wayne Patton; brother, Otis Nelson “Buddy” Patton; aunt and “sister”, Florence Patton Rodgers; daughter-in-law, Vickie Sue Patton; sister-in-law, Mary Frances Oliver Thurston and her husband, William; brother-in-law, Paul Oliver and his wife, Freda; brothers-in-law, Claude Oliver and Jerry Sale; step-mother, Jean Clarke Patton; and “step-father” Hugh Lambert Dye.
Johnnie is survived by his children and caregivers, Kenneth Ray Patton and Lisa Patton Perry (Carl Poates), both of Spotsylvania; sisters-in-law, Patricia Cox Patton of North Chesterfield, Linda Oliver Sale of Leland, NC, and Naomi Oliver of Woodbridge; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who brought much fun and happiness to him.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, June 26, 2026 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 10719 Courthouse Road, Fredericksburg. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Shady Grove United Methodist Church, 11007 W. Catharpin Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22551, with the Rev. David Craig and Rev. Jeffrey Smith officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ricky Diehl, Doug Merryman, Carl Poates, Vivian Proffitt, Charles “Eddie” Scruggs, and Robert “Bobby” Seay. A reception and time for fellowship will also be held at the church after the funeral.
The family would like to thank Dr. Norman Chang and the compassionate staff (Lisa, Stephanie, Melissa, Tracy, and others) at Commonwealth Internal Medicine for the excellent care and loving support they provided for 20+ years and Amedisys Hospice (Monica, Noella, Meka, and Jessica) for their recent care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shady Grove United Methodist Church, PO Box 1718, Spotsylvania, VA 22553.
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