Hall of Famer & Hope High Phys. Ed. Teacher, Gloria Ruth Patterson, Dies at 73

Hall of Famer & Hope High Phys. Ed. Teacher, Gloria Ruth Patterson, Dies at 73

Gloria Ruth Patterson was born on April 7, 1948, in Port Gibson, Mississippi to the late Henry Po-Boy” Patterson and Ruby E. (Storks) Patterson Keeps. She transitioned to her heavenly home on January 17, 2022, at her residence in Providence, Rhode Island, surrounded by her son Michael and daughter-in-law Miss Elizabeth after an extended illness.

Gloria confessed hope in Christ at an early age and affiliated with numerous churches throughout her life.

Gloria graduated from Addison High School in 1966, where she was well-equipped to face life’s challenges and endeavors. While at Addison, she excelled in track, basketball and was known as the “fast runner”. She also played the trumpet and trombone in the school band. Gloria graduated from Jackson State College in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education.

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Gloria was persuaded to apply for a teaching position by her college friend, the late, Ms. Sophia Shields based on her scholastic achievements and her background in athletics plus music. Gloria began her teaching journey at Nathanael Greene Middle School in 1970, where she taught physical education for 6 years. She transferred to Hope High School in 1977 to teach health and physical education. She coached the girls’ basketball, volleyball, and softball teams. Her basketball team won the Rhode Island state basketball championship in 2007. If death’s angel had not called her home, she would have celebrated 46 years of loyal service with plans to continue further based on her passionate love for her students and the Hope High School community. She was inducted into the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) and the Rhode Island High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Gloria’s coaching achievements culminated with her selection as the 2006 female High School Coach of the Year. Gloria was a loyal and active member of The Silver and Gold Society where she served as the chairwoman of the Scholarship Committee, which awarded 42 scholarships.

Gloria Ruth was preceded in death by both parents, two brothers, Joseph and Bobby Patterson, and grandson, Michael D. Patterson Jr.

She leaves to mourn her passing her son; Michael (Miss Elizabeth) Patterson of Sacramento, CA, a brother; Cornelius (Sherry) E. Patterson from Toledo, OH, three sisters; Jessie Giles, of Cleveland, OH; Jewel and Gladys Patterson both of Toledo, OH; three grandchildren; Ny’arie Patterson, Chance A. Patterson and Nickolos Sims- Patterson; one great-grandson; Marcellus Hunt Jr. and a host of other loving relatives, nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, plus her entire Hope High School community.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at the W. Raymond Watson Funeral Home, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside at 12 noon with visitation from 11 am-12 pm. Burial will follow at Swan Point Cemetery, Providence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Gloria R. Patterson Memorial Scholarship Fund, 395 Blackstone Street, Providence, RI 02905 C/O Betty Duguid.