Lattie Vivian Rachel (Rogers) Patterson

The Celebration of Life Service for Mrs. Patterson will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.

FACE MASKS ARE REQUIRED!!!

Vivian Rogers Patterson was born in Holly Springs (Wake County) North Carolina to the late Lattie and Dala Prince Rogers on June 2, 1922.  She was the oldest of their three living children. Her older brother, Paul, died during The Great Influenza of 1918. After living a wonderful, service filled life, she made a peaceful transition on January 3, 2025.

She graduated as valedictorian of her class from the Fuquay Springs High School, Fuquay Springs, North Carolina (six miles from Holly Springs).

Education was very important to her parents and extended family.  She was strongly encouraged to go to college by an aunt who was the first female graduate of Shaw University.  Vivian matriculated at North Carolina College for Negroes after graduating from high school but took a sabbatical from school after two years in order to assure that her younger sister would attend college also, for which she paid her expenses due to their father's declining blacksmithing business.   After her sister graduated and began working, she assisted Vivian as she returned to school to earn her Bachelor of Science Degree in commerce.  While married to the late Cecil Lloyd Patterson, she earned her Master of Science Degree in Commerce at North Carolina College at Durham (now North Carolina Central University). She augmented that education with a series of professional courses, seminars and designations related to banking at many banking schools including the North Carolina School of Banking  at  University of North Carolina,  Chapel Hill, North Carolina,  Cannon Trust School at UNC, Charlotte, North Carolina,  Trust School at Campbell College, Buies Creek, North Carolina; and graduated from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at  Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, as well as earning additional certificates from the American  Institute of Banking's continuing education initiatives.

Vivian's record of employment at the Mechanic and Farmer Bank, Main Office, in Durham spanned a period of 48 years. Beginning as a savings teller and stenographer, she rose through the ranks of bookkeeper, proof operator, assistant cashier, assistant vice president, vice president, vice president-corporate secretary, vice president-assistant trust officer, vice president-trust officer.   Following the ten years as Vice President-Trust Officer, she retired December 31, 1992.   As a customer, Vivian's cheery greeting always made one feel that Mechanics and Farmers Bank really cared about you and your business.

Vivian was blessed to become a centenarian (plus) and her record of service at the community and state levels in religious, civic, social and professional areas was an inspiration to all. 

 At St. Titus' Episcopal Church, where she has been a member for more than 67 years, she never found herself without an opportunity to serve her God and Church.  Upon becoming a confirmed member of Saint Titus, Vivian was immediately assigned to serve on the Altar Guild.   She performed those duties steadfastly for more than 35 years when she transitioned to “serving as needed.”  She provided leadership as President of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW), resulting in increasing the visibility of the Black Church in the Diocese. She was elected to the vestry for three 3-year terms. For more than 12 years, she served as clerk of the vestry, the legal and fiduciary agent of the church. In later years she served as the Senior Warden of the church.  In that position, and with her professional background and knowledge, Vivian was a valuable resource, enabling the vestry to comply with the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. She  served as the Coordinator of the Parish Benevolent Ministry for approximately 25 years, believing that charity and help should begin at home serving the sick, shut-ins and bereaved.

 Vivian was the consummate greeter at Saint Titus'. As several newcomers or visitors to the parish have attested, they did not escape notice by Vivian and they credit her for influencing their decision to return and/or become members.

 As a member of the Durham Congregations in Action, St. Titus' was invited to join other churches in the fight against AIDS. The rector selected Vivian Patterson to take the AIDS Care Team training and charged her to organize and serve as coordinator for the St. Titus Team.  Her skills showed brightly as she worked with AIDS CARE TEAM members individually at the beginning of Saint Titus' serving the needs of the partner assigned to the church.  She served in that role from 1992 through 2004.   While no longer the coordinator, Vivian was a staunch supporter of the AIDS Care Team ministry at St. Titus.   She continued to share her skills in this and other ministries such as serving as usher and/ or lay reader. She was counted on for support and assistance with every project, except cooking for church functions!  However, she was the true hostess in her home and was considered by many as A Food Angel who provided meals for parish members at times of bereavement, illness, etc.

 Vivian was a silent benefactor, underwriting opportunities for youth and adults to attend programs and activities for parish development: skill-building workshops, youth and adult training opportunities sponsored by the Diocese, the National Church, etc. The parish and the community benefited when the recipients returned and used their skills in parish and community development. She played a leading and instrumental role in helping the church acquire the present Delany Education Building in order to expand the community ministry at St. Titus.  

Whether at the local, Diocesan, state or national level of the Episcopal Church, Vivian was a trailblazer for diversity and inclusion in the affairs of the Church. She was the first African-American delegate to the Triennial (National) meeting of the Episcopal Church Women (1972); was elected the first African American Lay Deputy to the General Convention of the National Episcopal Church (1979). Also at the Diocesan level, she served as a member of the Commission on Grants, the Anti-Racism Committee, member of the Committee on the Companion Diocese of Costa Rica; she was the first African American female to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Kanuga Conference Center of the Episcopal Church. All of us benefitted from Vivian's willingness to serve in these and other areas especially at times when African American representation was not always sought or welcomed at the table.

 As an ardent supporter of community organizations, she lent her business acumen while serving on Boards of Directors of many organizations including the YWCA (President), Women-in-Action for the Prevention of Violence, Scarborough Nursery School Board of Directors, Lincoln Health Center Board, and Lincoln Apartments Foundation Board.  An extensive list of memberships in civic, social and professional associations attests to her participation in leadership and community improvement. A sample of the memberships include: City of Durham Historic District Commission; Board of Visitors--North Carolina Central University School of Business; The NCCU Alumni Association;  Delta Sigma Theta Sorority-Durham Alumnae Chapter(life member);  NAACP;  The UNC-Chapel Hill Center for Aging and Diversity;  Durham Chapter of  The American Red Cross; Durham Business and Professional Chain; Financial Women International;  American Institute of Banking;  The Lawson Street Community Club and other special projects.

Vivian’s devoted husband, Cecil Patterson, of 57 years preceded her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory, granddaughter Teria Broadous, niece Wanda Rogers Lee, nephew Carl Donaldson, Special Cousins Joan Cozart, Betty Jo Peebles, Wanda Robinson Lee, a host of Godchildren, church family and friends.

Vivan was well loved and will forever be remembered by her “son” Lionell Parker and his wife Danita, their children Danielle Parker Moore (Donell) and Lauren Parker, and their grandchildren Landon and Laiana, who affectionally called her Mrs. P.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Memory of Vivian R. Patterson may be made to the St. Titus' Episcopal Church Scholarship Fund, Benevolent Fund or Altar Guild Fund. Donations may be mailed to St. Titus' Episcopal Church, 400 Moline Street, Durham, NC 27707. Please indicate which fund you are contributing to on the memo line.

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