(Media release from Georgia Northwestern Technical College):
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (GTNC) announces the establishment of the Kirby Patterson Memorial Scholarship and its first two recipients.
Murray County native Kirby Patterson devoted his career to public service, including serving as a deputy sheriff, chief deputy and then later as police chief of Chatsworth. In 1968, he was elected as sole commissioner of Murray County, where he served for 20 years. He was also a lifetime member of Georgia Association Chiefs of Police. Patterson passed away in December 2020.
His widow Sherrie Patterson, who represents Murray County on GNTC’s Foundation Board of Trustees, explained that Patterson’s mother was left to raise six children alone after his father and 4-year-old brother were struck by a train and killed. Despite the hardships they faced growing up in harsh economic times, all of the children grew up to be successful individuals.
“Kirby really gave back to Murray County” and was instrumental in the economic development and infrastructure improvements that helped “get Murray County off the ground,” she said, adding that the couple was married for 22 years. “He was one of the finest people I’ve ever known.”
The Patterson family recently established the scholarship to support a graduating senior from Murray County High School and North Murray County High School who will attend GNTC in the fall. The first recipients of the scholarship are Lisetty Garcia of Murray County High School and Alanna Jacobo of North Murray High School.
Garcia and Jacobo are enrolled in GNTC’s Health Care Management program.
Patterson’s family wanted to honor his memory of community service by giving back to the community themselves.
“Some good folks in this county made a difference in my father’s life by giving of themselves and seeing his potential when he was a young, poor kid being raised by a sharecropper widow,” said Tony Patterson. “He tried to reflect that in his life.”
“We, his family, still benefit daily from his guidance, encouragement and selflessness,” said Terri Kirby, Patterson’s daughter. She also represents Whitfield County on GNTC’s Foundation Board of Trustees.
