Ira Smith Patterson was the son of Andrew Elkins and Sara Elizabeth (Swift) Patterson. He was born at Moseley Hall, the plantation
home of his father, near Madison, Florida, March 30th, 1863. He
died in Jacksonville, Florida, December 31st, 1943, and was buried
alongside his wife in the cemetery at Tallahassee, Florida, January
3rd, 1944; Rev. E. J. Pendergrass, District Superintendent of Tallahassee District, and Rev. Jack E. Anderson, Pastor of Trinity Church,
officiating at the funeral and interment.
Ira Smith Patterson had three brothers and four sisters and four
half-brothers and three half-sisters, his father having been twice
married, Of these the following survive him: John Howell Patterson,
Mary Rebecca Cameron and Joshua Joseph Patterson-whole
brothers and sister; and Gladys Lavenia Chaires, Grady Atticus Patterson and Inez Roach half brother and sisters.
His wife was Amanda Ellen Patterson (a cousin). They were
married at the home of the bride in Lloyd, Florida, October 2nd,
1881, by Rev. S. A. Castrell. They had only one child, a son, who died
shrtly after birth. Mrs. Patterson died several years before her husband did.
Ira S. Patterson attended St. John Academy at Madison, Florida,
and East Florida Seminary at Gainesville, Florida, from which Institution he graduated.
Following his graduation he engaged in business and read law in
preparation for engaging in the practice of law as a life occupation.
But neither business nor the law could resist or still the voice of
Christ calling him into the ministry. In his own words: "I simply
had to be a Methodist preacher."
He was licensed to preach and recommended to the Florida Annual
Conference for admission on trial by the Quarterly Conference of
Mosely Hall and Perry Circuit at Perry Campground, October 29th,
1887. The Presiding Elder who presided at the Quarterly Conference
was Rev. E. H. Harmon and the Secretary was J. J. Gornto. He was
admitted on trial by the Florida Conference at Leesburg, Florida,
December 14th, 1887. Bishop Joseph S. Key presided and Dr. F. Pasco
was Secretary. He was ordained Deacon and admitted into full Connexion at Gainesville, Florida, January 12th, 1890; and ordained Elder at Tampa, Florida, January lOth, 1892. His appointments were as
follows:
Concord Ct. 1888; Jefferson Ct. 1889-90; Waukeenah Ct. 1891-92;
Junior Preacher at the First Church in Tampa 1893; St. Petersburg
(where he began Methodism) and Palmetto Ct. 1894-95; Riverside,
Jacksonville, 1896. Transferred to New Mexico Conference and
stationed at Roswell, New Mexico, 1897-98. Transferred back to
Florida and stationed at Sanford 1899-1900; Bradenton and Manatee
1901; Presiding Elder, Gainesville District 1902-03; Presiding Elder
of Tampa District 1903-06; Trinity, Tallahassee, 1906-1910-where
he built the present Sunday School Annex; Jacksonville District 1910-
14-During this time he represented Florida Conference in the General Conference at Ashville, N. C.; Live Oak Station 1915; Agent of
Anastasia Methodist Assembly and Conference Missionary Secretary
1916. From this date until his retirement, 1932, he continued to be
Conference Missionary Secretary-17 years. At the time of his retirement the Board and the Conference adopted this resolution:
"For seventeen years Dr. Patterson served Florida Conference and
The Church as Conference Missionary Secretary. No Conference has
been better served. He brought to this office large gifts-untiring
diligence , burning zeal, complete loyalty. The Board as well as the
Conference has grown to depend largely upon him. He has come to
the end of his service. We shall sorely miss him."
Dr. Patterson served the Church and the Florida Conference in
many capacities-and always with fidelity and efficiency. In the
various boards and committees of the Conference, in the General
Conference, in the General Board of Missions, in the great Centenary
movement he showed large leadership and wise executive ability.
But it was as Conference Missionary Secretary for seventeen years
that he rendered his Conference the largest service.
When he was first appointed Conference Missionary Secretary the
pastors who served the mission charges were both inadequately and
irregularly paid. Thru his wise management and under his great
leadership both things were remedied. A reserve fund was developed,
a minimum for salaries was fixed and this minimum was paid monthly-as were all other appropriations of the Board. A vast plan of
extension was developed and perfected so that the number of pastoral charges was almost doubled during his tenure of office. The
amount raised for Conference Missions was lifted to almost unbelievable heights. And when twice in succession tornadoes hit the State,
he was ready with funds to take over and rebuild and pay salaries
so that our work might not be either destroyed or much retarded.
It was a signal victory of preparedness.
But the inevitable grind of years and prodigious labors finally forced him to retire. Very reluctantly the Conference admitted the fact
and granted his request. He faced the inevitable gracefully, as he
had faced all the issues of life. Having loved his Church, he loved it
to the end. Having served his Conference, he continued to attend
when he could. Having earned well the love and respect of his brethren, he kept it to the end.
And now he walks among us no more, for God took him. He folded
his mantle about him and laid himself down to peaceful sleep. As
he walked from his birth in honor and clean mirth, so walked he forth
to meet the Lord.
Submitted by: WILLIAM FREDERICK DUNKLE