Patterson, Max Arlin

Max Arlin Patterson, 87, died on September 10, 2021, at his home in Allen, Texas, surrounded by his wife and children.

Max was born in Finger, Tennessee, on May 2, 1934. After graduating from Bethel Springs High School, he attended Freed-Hardeman College, Harding College, Memphis State University, and Harding College Graduate School of Bible and Religion. He held multiple degrees of higher education, including a Master of Arts and Master of Religious Education.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1954, Max married Billie Waudine Pasley of Haworth, Oklahoma.

Except for farming with his family as a young boy, Max only ever served as a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. His first sermon was delivered at the age of 14, and his last sermon was delivered nearly 70 years later in 2018 as part of a three-generation gospel meeting with one of his sons and grandsons. For decades in between, he would proclaim the word of God full-time in pulpits across Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Illinois, Kentucky, Texas, Tennessee, and Missouri. In addition to speaking in frequent gospel meetings and lectureships, he preached all over the United States in the School of Bible Emphasis and participated in several mission trips to foreign countries. He spoke on several radio and television programs and taught for a decade in a preacher training school.

Being a true scholar and expert in the Greek language, Max dedicated years of his life to developing study commentaries which examined the biblical text down to each individual verse of every New Testament book and several Old Testament books. His legacy lives on in these commentaries today as they have helped and continue to aid students of the Bible in better understanding God’s word and His will for their lives.

Having a passion for gardening that probably originated from his own upbringing on a farm, Max raised many crops over the years in many of the places he lived. In addition to his family, he was generous to share the food grown with his many friends and neighbors.

Max had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. He maintained his wit throughout his final days. His memory still brings smiles and laughter to those who knew him.

Although he loved to fish for fish whenever the opportunity availed itself to him, in life, Max Patterson was a true fisher of men.

Max was preceded in death by his parents, Hobart Euless Allen Patterson and Cora Barton Patterson, brothers, Leonard and Orpheus, sister, Willie Mae Shahan, and nephew/son, David Shahan.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 67 years, Billie, of Allen, Texas, three children, Larry, of Crossville, Tennessee, Sonja Helton, of Plano, Texas, and Kevin, of Sebring, Florida, niece/daughter, Marla Alexander, of Richardson, Texas, and brother, Jerry, of Linden, Tennessee.

He leaves behind 14 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews

The family will be holding a private service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent by mail to the non-profit organization founded over 40 years ago by Max’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jerry & Fern Hill:

Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch 298 Middle Road Riverhead, NY 11901

Online memorials may be made at:

https://www.timothyhill.org/donate/