Henrietta Edwards Patton

Henrietta Edwards Patton passed away on May 23, 2026, after a brief illness.

Born on July 6, 1939, she was the third of nine children born to John Henry Edwards and Willie Mae Evans Edwards, though only six survived infancy. She spent most of her childhood in the small town of Bogart, Georgia, and was a proud member of the first graduating senior class of Oconee County High School in 1957.

In February 1962, she married Jodie S. Patton, Jr. Together they shared 59 years of marriage until his passing in 2020.

Henrietta lovingly raised two children: Judy Ann Patton Henry (Jerry Lee Henry) of Barnesville, Georgia, and Jodie Michael Patton (Lisa Bridges Patton) of Gainesville, Georgia. She is survived by her grandson, Christopher Michael Patton (Tracey Anna Saine Patton) of Dawsonville, Georgia, and their daughter, Clara Grace Patton. Also surviving bonus daughter Sandy Sosbee, of Bogart, Georgia.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters, Gloria McCannon and Carolyn Edwards. She is survived by her brother-in-law, Jimmy McCannon; sisters, Sue Maddox and Jean Ridgeway; and brother, John Henry Edwards, Jr. (Pat), along with several nieces and nephews.

Henrietta worked briefly at Bell’s at Five Points in Athens before becoming a full-time homemaker. However, she was far more than an ordinary homemaker — she embodied “home economics” in every sense of the word. She was a gifted seamstress, canner, baker, and cook who carefully planned meals around grocery store sales. She maintained a strict monthly budget and skillfully managed all household expenses.

As a devoted mother, she served as “room mother” for Christmas and end-of-school parties, was a dedicated Girl Scout Cookie Mom, and never missed a football game — home or away — or a marching band competition for six years. She even chaperoned a band trip to Disney World. Alongside her husband, Jodie, she also enjoyed traveling, especially to her “second home”, Gulf Winds Resort, St Pete Beach, Florida, as well as extended trips to Colorado, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and a special family trip to California and Las Vegas in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.

The service will be led by Rev. Ned Davis. Pallbearers will be Christopher Michael Patton, Dwight Thompson, and nephews Johnny Patton, Brad Patton, Alex Bennett, and Larry Shelnutt.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 26, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Lord & Stephens West. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 11 am, in the chapel of Lord & Stephens West, with interment to follow at Bogart First Baptist Church Cemetery in Bogart, Georgia.

A luncheon for friends and family will be held in the fellowship hall of Bogart Christian Church, 200 Elder Street, Bogart, Georgia, following the interment.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, West, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Road, Watkinsville, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com