Gracie Mae Patton

Gracie Mae Patton, devoted sister, companion, aunt, cousin, and friend transformed from this life to Glory on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Gracie Mae was born January, 2, 1953 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Danville, IL to Virginia Stanton (Harris) and Jimmie Lee Sanford.  She married AD Patton on November 13, 1972.  The couple divorced, but remained lifelong friends.

Gracie Mae leaves to cherish memories, her sister Janice Sanford, companion of 25+ years Jimmie Lee Williams (Sonny), half siblings, James (Jody) White, Rachel (Carlos) Cunningham and Timmie (Martha) Sanford, step siblings, Glenda Withers, Druscilla (Larry) Hayes, Robert (Rose) Wilson, Tywon (David) Gouard, Tissia (Charles) Henderson and Prentice Wilson,  and 13 nieces and nephews who she considered her bonus children.  Melissa (Glennie) Watson, Paul (Sharon) Sanford, Sherry Sanford, Jerry Atkinson, Shanae (Terry) Beasley, Demetria Sanford, Squire Brown, Tekeshia Brown, Jerome (Jennifer) Sanford, Cory Sanford, Jimmie Lee Sanford III, and Sallie and Richard Sanford-Beasley.  A special cousin/niece Shani Petty.  A bonus son Victor Newsom.  3 step children Tonya Payton, Aderion Patton and Jacquline Patton Alfred and 16 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, several great nieces and nephews and 1 great great grandchild. She shared a special bond with Bonita Strong.

She was proceeded in death by both parents, her infant son Michael, step son Aaron and her sisters Renetha Atkinson, Hattie Brown and brothers Jimmie Lee Sanford and Wayne Sanford.

Gracie attended Washington and Elmwood Elementary schools, then later finishing at Danville Area Community College, she went on to take music courses at Olive Harvey and First Business Colleges while in Chicago.  Gracie LOVED her music.  She was a DJ in Chicago and could identify most songs within a couple of chords by name of song and artist.  She worked for Chicago Mayor Washington, General Motors, Hyster, Tea Pak, drove buses and DJ’d. 

Hobbies:  she loved playing the keyboard, singing, decorating, going to church and LOVED her Family over Everything.  She made sure to show up and represent each of her loved ones in their memorable moments. 

She was a member of New Jerusalem Church and adored her Pastor Bobby and 1st Lady Rose Keys.  She was also a viewer and top fan of Terry and Shanae’s Taste and See On-line Ministries. 

A celebration of life will commence at 12:00 Noon Friday May 5, 2023 at New Life Church of Faith 1419 N. Bowman Ave. A visitation will begin at 11:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will follow at Sanhill Memorial Park.

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