Bishop Charles Patterson

After a lengthy yet valiant battle with a prolonged illness, Bishop Charles “Chuck” Patterson transitioned from labor to reward on Friday, the 21st of January, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born in Millen, GA, on April 10, 1946, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Jesse and Lucendia Patterson.

Chuck met and married Clara, the love of his life and best friend, in 1968 in Chicago, IL, where he won her heart with his persistent romantic expressions of love. From this union came Charles VanDoar, Jondahlyn LaCendra, Gyasi Ayinde, Kwame Abasi, and Jamila Jendayi. Chuck led a long life of ministry, adventure, and ambition with a strong love for Christ, his family, community, and church.

In Chicago, he was a businessman who opened and owned Patterson’s Flavor Palace, Momma’s Cookies, and VanDoar’s World Recreation Center. Before his entrepreneurial endeavors, Charles served proudly in the United States Military U.S. Army as a finance support clerk.

Pastor Chuck was officially ordained as a minister in 1973 in Michigan City, IN, under Willie Odell Coates' tutelage. However, God called him into ministry and community activism and advocacy in 1971, when he and his wife—who he affectionately called Carol—began their vocation as ministers with the Salvation Army. Together, they founded the Children for Christ Club in 1972 and established the Coats Community Center for neighborhood youth in Indiana that next year.

Chuck and his family moved to Virginia Beach, VA, in 1978, where he launched Glory House Ministries, which developed into Joy Church in 1981. He would be ordained as a minister with the Church of God and Christ in 1982. While in Virginia, Chuck Patterson attended Norfolk State University, where he majored in sociology and theology. He also served in many civic duties, including advisor under Virginia Governor Gerald Baliles and as director of the NAACP of the Hampton Roads region.

In 1986, God led Pastor Chuck Patterson to relocate Joy Church of God in Christ to Newport News, VA, where he also continued his broadcast ministry. Chuck relaunched his renowned “Religious Viewpoint” radio show on WTJZ AM 1270 in Hampton, VA, a program he first birthed in the 1970s on many Midwest radio stations. The newly established Religious Viewpoint would become the most listened to radio broadcast at the time of airing and was reported to have the most significant impact on radio listeners in Hampton Roads and surrounding areas. Bishop Patterson’s ministry continues to this day at Joy Church in Newport News.

Chuck lived an exciting life as a man of valor, a husband, a “Daddy,” a grandfather, a great-grandfather, an uncle, a brother, a son, a Christian, a theologian, a leader, a teacher and historian, an activist, a boat captain and fisherman, a chef, a soldier, a radio personality, an artist, a poet, a carpenter, a world traveler, and a trailblazer. He also loved antique cars, his yard, lavishing his wife with gifts, romantic gestures, and chocolates, being on his boat, fireworks, riding on his golf cart, and a White Castle hamburger, extra onions.

He built a legacy of selflessness and service throughout his 75 years. He was powerful in his convictions and loved and cherished his family deeply and profoundly. But above all, Chuck loved God, who gave him the mighty assignment and responsibility to serve his people. Bishop Patterson answered that call throughout his life and can now rest and rejoice in God’s Heavenly Kingdom as his reward.

He leaves to mourn and cherish his memories; his wife and five children, his grandchildren, Darrick, Niah, Osaze, Azhane, Ashanti, Ayanni, Selah, Jaden, Ayinde, Ayasi, and Story; his great-grandchildren, Asaiah and Egypt; his older sister Ola Grant, his younger brother Leo Patterson (Rozena) and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Proceeded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse and Lucendia Patterson, his in-laws Amberine and Lula Brown, who he affectionally referred to as Father and Mother Brown, his brothers Frank, Jesse Jr, Noah, Eugene, and Job Patterson, and his sister Geneva Watkins.

In the immortal words of Bishop Charles “Chuck” Patterson, “Devil, you lose again! Holy Ghost and Fire! You go praising God!”

Funeral Services for Bishop Patterson will be held at noon Monday, January 31, 2022, at Gethsemane Baptist Church, 5405 Roanoke Avenue, Newport News, VA, 23605 with viewing starting at 11:00 AM and ending at noon.

In place of flowers, please send electronic Tokens of Love to:

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(It is the desire of the Patterson family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The family of Bishop Charles Patterson has entrusted his final care to C.C. Carter Funeral Home, Inc.

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