Shirlene Patton

Shirlene Banks Patton left her earthly home in Madison, WV and went home to be with her Lord in her heavenly home on Monday, January 27, 2025. She was 85 years old. 

She was born in South Madison on November 18, 1939, to the late Ernest and Josephine Sowers Banks. Shirlene fell head over heels in love with Willie Patton. They were married February 20, 1971, in Wilkerson, WV by the Rev. Lon Hamilton. Their union produced one daughter, Rekko. 

Known as Lene to her family, she attended Douglas Grade School and Carver High School. While attending Carver High School, Shirlene won the eighth grade Golden Horseshoe Award, In 1956 when integration begin, she attended school for half a day at Scott High School during her sophomore year. In 1957, Shirlene, one of two black students, graduated from Scott High.

She was a member of 4-H and Girl Scouts in her early youth. Lene’s first job was babysitting Betties Miller. Shirlene’s first real job was with the Madison Dry Cleaners. She later worked for Miller’s Flower Shop until she became pregnant. Professionally, Shirlene sold Avon for 17 Years. In that time, she made the Presidents’ Club and received a Miss Albee Award for each year of her service. In 1988, she received The District Sales Achievement Award for Sales Increased.

Shirlene lived her life serving the Lord. Her church home was Zion Missionary Baptist Church, now known as New Vision Missionary Baptist Church. Shirlene was one of the mothers of the church. She once held the office of church clerk, Sunday School treasurer, beloved Sunday School Teacher, and Youth Group leader. In her very active church life, she sung in the AME Methodist Church Choir. 

She supported Guyan Vallely Missionary Baptist Association Programs. Her involvement in the Guyan Valley Missionary Baptist Association included being on the Deaconess Council, District Women’s Convention, Senior District Choral, and Section A & B choirs’ group. Also, she was second vice president of the Guyan Vallely Charity Music Convention. Shirlene was the financial secretary of the Guyan Vallely Congress of Christian Education, a member of the Guyan Valley Missionary Baptist Association Executive Board, and a member of the Guyan Valley Charity Music Convention Scholarship Committee. Shirlene supported The Hilltop Baptist Association also.

Shirlene was a pillar in the community. As a volunteer she was a member of PTA (Parents Teacher Association) and homeroom mother. She was a caregiver to Lillie Mae Clark for two years. During which time, they traveled to Jerusalem, where Shirlene was baptized in the river Jordon. She was a Member of NAACP, NACCP Executive committee, and Julia Price Breast Cancer Foundation. 

Her major accomplishment in her lifetime was family. Even though she has no grandchildren of her own, she spent her time with nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She had grand cats also.

Shirlene is proceeded in death by her parents Ernest and Josephine Sowers Banks; husband Willie Patton; brothers Fred, Bill, and Ronnie Banks; and two sister Yvonne Puyear and Janet Grant. She is survived by her daughter Rekko Patton; sisters Mollie Sherman, Brenda Lambert, and Tina Frieson; brother Ernest “Popcorn” Banks; and extended family.

A memorial service for Shirlene will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025 at New Vision Missionary Baptist Church in Madison, WV with Audie Murphy Sr. officiating.