Mrs. Patricia Anna Patton Rivers, age 80, of Dalton, Georgia passed away June 17, 2022 peacefully at her home, surrounded by family. Patricia, known affectionately as “Pat”, “Trisha” or “Nana Anna” was born on April 20, 1942 in Dalton, GA to the late Fred Alfred Patton and Marie LaVelle Harlan Patton; late grandparents, Delphia Lawrence Vinson, Agustaveous (Gus) Harlan, Alberta Black Harlan; and late sister Martha Arlene Patton. She was a proud graduate of Emery Street School (Salutatorian of the Class of 1960.) She graduated from Grady Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1963. Patricia touched countless lives during her professional life as a nurse and nursing instructor. After graduating from Grady Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Patricia started her career in the field of healthcare which lasted over 40 years. She began her career as an RN at Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, GA. She transitioned into the field of teaching and became a nursing instructor at Dalton Vocational School of Health Occupations and then to Dalton State College of which she retired. Patricia loved teaching and helped place many young nurses on their path of medically caring for others. In later years, during her visits to the doctor, she found herself being cared for by some of her former students. After retiring from Dalton State College, Patricia spent a few years as the Director of local nursing homes and the nurse for Regional Youth Detention Center. She finally closed the chapter of nursing working as the Manager of The Gardens Assisted Living Community at Royal Oaks. Throughout her life, Patricia felt much adoration from the Dalton healthcare community. Patricia loved to spend personal time with family. She adored her 3 grandchildren and started “Grandparents Camp” where she kept them for a month each summer when they were younger. She was a history buff and could talk about historical events for hours. She served two terms with the League of Women Voters of the Dalton Area as Co-President and President. Patricia loved to dance. She loved listening to classical music and the Blues. She also enjoyed reciting poetry and valued education. Patricia worked extremely hard to preserve the history of her beloved Emery Street School, now The Emery Center. Patricia leaves a legacy of love, grace and compassion. Survivors are her loving and devoted husband, Curtis Rivers, Jr. of Dalton, GA; daughter, Crystal (Henry) Hicks of Nashville, TN and son, Mark (Amanda) Rivers of Tucker, GA; siblings, Fred R. Patton of Stone Mountain, GA; and Emily (Charles) Love of Rome, GA; grandchildren, Henry Beecher Hicks , IV of Washington D.C., Harrison Patton Hicks of New York, NY and Eva Rose Rivers of Tucker, GA; nephew, Kevin (Letitia Hudson) White of Dalton, GA; enduring family friend, Elizabeth Smith; goddaughter, Tam Weaver; and a host of other relatives and friends. The family will have visitation at Willis Funeral Home on Thursday, June 23, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. A celebratory service honoring Patricia’s life will be on Friday, June 24, 2022 at 12:00 noon at First Presbyterian Church in Dalton, GA. Interment will be at West Hill Cemetery. In compliance with Covid-19 best practices, the family is requesting that all attendees wear a mask. The family would like to acknowledge the compassionate and loving care Patricia received from the entire team at North Georgia Community Hospice, LLC. We are forever grateful to you. In lieu of flowers, the family will greatly appreciate that donations be made to The Emery Center (formerly Emery Street School); P.O. Box 1831, Dalton GA 30722-1831.
/fit-in/200x300/filters:fill(white)/filters:strip_exif()/fit-in/200x300/filters:fill(white)/prod/553/289714/wwduplogn0oq8mzvo5jx.jpg)
