Mr. Leonard Joseph "L.J." Patterson, 71, of Lillington passed away Thursday, January 29, 2015 at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford. He was born in Lee County, the son of the late Dewey Caviness and Bessie Harrington Patterson. L.J. was a US Army veteran serving in Vietnam. He medically retired from COTY after 22 years as a distribution supervisor and was a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Mamers. L.J. was preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Jackson Patterson, sisters, Willie Grace Patterson Passmore, Peggy Ann Patterson Pearce and a grandson, Matthew "Matt" Patterson. He loved his children but his grandchildren became his ultimate joy.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Monday, February, 2, 2015 at Antioch Baptist Church in Mamers with Rev. Patrick Broaddus officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at O'Quinn-Peebles-Phillips Funeral Home Sunday from 3:00-5:00 PM and other times at the home of Ryan and Jenny Patterson.

L.J. is survived by his brother, Buster Keaton Patterson and wife Anne of Lexington, sister, Linda Silva and husband Al of Pearl City, HI, brother, Donnie Ray Patterson and wife Donna of Lillington, daughter, Connie Roberts of Lillington, son, Bryant Patterson of Lillington, daughter, Sara Allen and husband, Lee of Carthage, son Ryan Patterson and wife Jenny of Lillington and daughter, Jennifer Howell and husband Daniel of Sanford, 12 grandchildren, Travis, Austin, Amanda, Ashlee, Justin, Katie, Dalton, Abby, Will, Emily, Aubrey and Delaney and 2 great-grandchildren, Gabriel and Ainslee.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 3219 Landmark Dr., Greenville, NC 27834.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Monday, February, 2, 2015 at Antioch Baptist Church in Mamers with Rev. Patrick Broaddus officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Oâ