Anne Bradley Patterson

Anne Bradley Patterson devoted her life to loving and caring for her family, friends, and others, including strangers. She is survived by her husband, Randolph (Randy) Evans, son, Andrew Rush and brother, Robinson Bernard (Laura). Bradley, and several step siblings and cousins.

Anne was born in Anniston, AL, to Joseph Bernard and Josephine Bradley. Anne and her younger brother, Rob, lost their mother to cancer when she was 12. Helping care for her mother inspired her to become a nurse. Rob and Anne lived in Chickamauga, GA, for 3 years, then she completed high school in Anniston and earned a scholarship to attend nursing school at Grady Hospital/ Georgia State University in Atlanta. She loved the demanding training and made lifelong friends there. She worked as a nurse in Atlanta and Boston before having children. Anne met Randy through friends in Atlanta. Although she and her nursing school friends never wanted to date doctors, she dated Randy because he initially planned to teach college English or work in journalism. Being around Anne, however, inspired Randy to pursue medicine as a more direct and practical way to serve others. They married in Chickamauga in June 1966, and Anne worked as a nurse while Randy trained in medicine, clinical cardiology and research. Their life together took them to Boston, Washington, D.C., New York, Bethesda, MD and eventually back to Atlanta. Through the moves and the demands of Randy's work, Anne supported their family and built friendships wherever they went.

Anne and Randy raised three sons: Andrew Rush, Charles Bradley, and Robert Joseph Patterson. Sadly, Brad and Robert died in separate accidents 19 months apart, 20 years ago. Anne did not let these tragedies define her and was a devoted mother who made a home for her family through demanding years of work, and relocation. She also formed deep connections with neighbors and friends, often stepping in to help when someone needed care.

Her service reached well beyond her home. In Maryland, Anne became commissioner of Montgomery County Soccer, Inc., organizing schedules for thousands of children across more than a hundred teams. Back in Atlanta, she started and served in the Thrift Boutique at Crawford Long Hospital (Emory Midtown) to provide clothing and other necessities to patients and families in need. Her work at Grady and the Thrift Boutique made her keenly aware of the often dire needs of too many people here in Atlanta.

The Patterson family joined Oak Grove United Methodist church (OGUMC) because Anne thought it provided many great service opportunities. Anne taught children's Sunday School, served as treasurer of United Women in Faith, worked in the church library, and led its annual book sale. She called and visited people unable to attend church and sent handwritten notes to new visitors. She loved serving as the OGUMC representative for Breakthrough House (BTH), which supports women recovering from addiction as they returned to work and community life. At service events at OGUMC, Anne quietly made sure the women who came to help from BTH felt welcomed and valued. Anne firmly believed that we should love and serve our neighbors as ourselves.

In the last 2-3 years, lung disease and other health problems limited the work she could do but never diminished her devotion to others. Anne believed that caring for people was the best way to live her faith. She died peacefully in hospice at Emory University Hospital, just down the hall from the fifth-floor area where she had worked as a nurse six decades earlier.

Anne will be remembered for her kindness, practical care, generous spirit, and the numerous lives she improved. In lieu of flowers, please support the Good Samaritan Fund at OGUMC.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 30th 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Oak Grove, United Methodist Church 1722 Oak Grove Rd, Decatur, GA 30033.