Morrel J. "Bud" Patterson

Morrel J. "Bud" Patterson, age 87, of Knoxville, TN passed away peacefully in his home on July 9th, 2025. Bud was born in Crowder, Mississippi on September 20, 1937, to the late Albert and Luna Mae Patterson and moved to Michigan where he lived most of his adult life. He was the 6th of 8 siblings. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Mae, and siblings, Albert Jr, who died at birth., Willie Dean, John Sr. Rudolph, Marge, Miriam. Bud was best known for his love of cooking, music, collecting instruments, ballroom dancing, gardening, family history, photography, and helping people in the community with appliance repairs. He was a member of the US Army National Guard, where he spent two years in Hawaii. Bud was also a member of the Moose Lodge for many years. He grew up picking cotton, growing popcorn, and sour gum. He also loved growing peanuts! He worked hard but loved to fish, and swim as a child. He was not above trying everything from picking oranges in Florida, to building houses, working as a chef for the Washtenaw Country Club, the Ruby at The White Spot, Disney and others in Ann Arbor, along with becoming the owner of Loudens Beef Buffet in Lexington Kentucky. Customers were known to line up outside to doors of this little buffet to experience Bud Patterson’s cooking! His love language was food. He always said, “If you want to make people happy, feed them.” He loved music, and even yodeling, playing the spoons, and ham boning as a young boy. He loved to beekeeping, gardening, and family gatherings. He was the "go to" person for history on extended family. He married Doris Louise Garrett in 1955. Their union produced four children, Daniel Albert, Randy Morrel, Vickie Lynn, and Brenda Sue. He also has a child from a second marriage, Morrell James Patterson); fifteen grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, Bud is also survived by his sister, Stella Robertson and several nieces and nephews. While our journey as a family wasn’t always easy, our dad was a part of who we are and have become. Each of us carries something from him—his humor, his resilience, or the lessons he taught us in his own way. We remember him with complexity, but also with care and compassion. He and his late wife, Ruby enjoyed ballroom dancing, cooking and baking for family functions, photography, and working on their family genealogies together. They were known to clear the floor with their gift of ballroom dancing. Ruby and Bud retired to the Appalachians of east Tennessee to be part of the Appalachian Museum, where she worked as a volunteer quilter for the Mark Twain home. They also attended bluegrass festivals annually. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Mynatt Funeral Home, Halls Chapel. A funeral service will follow with Reverend Keith Spratlin officiating. Mr. Patterson will be received by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home in Lansing, Michigan, for a burial beside of his dear Ruby, at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens in Okemos, Michigan. Online condolences may be sent to www.mynattfh.com.