John Madison Pattillo
John Madison Pattillo, age 75, of Bloomburg, Texas went to be with the Lord Sunday, August 28, 2016 at his residence following a lengthy illness.
John Madison Pattillo was born on December 22, 1940 in Atlanta, Texas to John Wesley Pattillo, Jr. and Susan Griffin Pattillo. John spent much of his youth in and around the Piney Woods of East Texas before his family moved to Laurel, Mississippi where John finished high school at George S. Gardiner High School in Laurel. It was in Laurel where he met and married his wife Betty Graves Pattillo in 1962. John and Betty were blessed to have been married 54 years. John graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi. Following a short stint as a teacher, John opened up a State Farm Agency in Laurel. He was quickly tapped for management, and he moved his growing family to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, then on to Austin, Texas and Fort Worth, Texas. John and Betty were very active in many service organizations and socially making friends along the way. They traveled the world, played golf and tennis, enjoyed being active members at church, welcomed friends into their home, took great pride in their family, and always looked for ways to help others. John remained with State Farm until his retirement in 1993. Although he struggled with his health during this period, he made a last move back home to East Texas to the family farm in Bloomburg. Never one to sit still, he decided to become a cattleman, raising Brangus cattle on his Texas and Arkansas land, entertaining family, friends, and a growing squad of granddaughters. He was never happier than when he was surrounded by family at Thanksgiving, playing with his granddaughters, or a covey rise of quail behind a brace of his best pointers. John was a man of integrity who loved others well. His generous spirit touched countless people through the years, and his heart’s desire was that all would know the loving, saving Grace of Jesus.
The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to those who helped provide loving care for John including Dr. Bryan Bowen and Staff, Serenity Hospice, and Helping Hands.
In addition to his wife Betty, John is survived by his daughter, Susan Berning and husband John of Sulphur Springs; son, Tom Pattillo and wife Kathy of Houston; son John Pattillo and wife Jessica of Atlanta; sister Sandra Pattillo Williams and husband Jeff of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; granddaughters Caroline Berning, Sarah Berning, Morgan Pattillo, Rylie Pattillo, Madison Pattillo, and Aubrey Pattillo, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 1, 2016 at First Baptist Church Bloomburg under the direction of Hanner Funeral Service with Rev. George Thomas officiating.
Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 31, at Hanner Funeral Home in Atlanta, Texas.
Burial will take place at Macedonia Cemetery in Arkansas with Steve Adcock, Bill Alexander, Shane Cockerham, Bill Elliott, William Elliott, and Melvin Timmons serving as pallbearers.
Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church Bloomburg, P.O. Box 202, Bloomburg, Texas 75556 or to a favorite charity.
Guest registry is available at www.hannerfuneralservice.com.