Steven Matthew Patterson

Steven Matthew Patterson, born July 19, 1980, passed peacefully on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 in Buford, Georgia. He was 35 years old. Survivors include his father, Dr. Donald G. Patterson, Jr and wife Deborah, his mother Kathryn Reeves and husband Steve, his grandmother, Betty Reeves, loving brothers Ken, Dennis, and Scott Patterson, sister-in-laws Mandy and Amanda Patterson, nieces and nephews, Alisa, Hanna, and Hayden Patterson, a large extended family, and a group of close friends he referred to as family. Upon graduation from Faith Academy in 1999, he attended Gwinnett Technical College for Commercial Photography. He worked at Primerica/CitiGroup for four years in the Customer Service Department, as part owner and head photographer for his company Happily Ever After Event Planning, and as a volunteer, on-set photographer for In Our Image Productions company. Most recently, he worked for Goodwill of Georgia in donor services. Steven had a kind and gentle spirit, a tremendous love of family, and dearly treasured those he called friends. He had an appreciation of all things vintage, and loved to shop for and collect antiques. Steven loved all holidays, and was always so excited to plan, decorate, and cook for them. He had a love of music, playing the trombone in school, and an amazing talent for photography that he used to document weddings and gatherings. He loved meeting friends for coffee and the competitiveness of all-night gaming contests between friends and family. He had a fondness for all types of weather, enjoying thunderstorms and rain, and his love of snow in the winter could only be rivaled by his love for his long-time furry companion, Sassy. He was a son, a brother, and a friend to many.....and his loss will be felt forever. Visitation will be held at 2:30 pm, Sunday, March 20, 2016 at Flanigan's Funeral Home, 4400 S. Lee Street, Buford, GA 30518. A memorial service will follow at 3:30pm. Flowers may be sent to Flanigan Funeral Home, or, please consider a tax-free donation in Steven's memory to one or more of the following charities: Ground Zero Grace, c/o Steve Gooch, 211 Saint Martin Drive, Suwanee, GA, 30024. Human Rights Campaign at http://1.facebook.com/1/AAQGc1isfAQfk-xwsPMgrTMf17NGM89z103Z50DYzSg6qg/HRC.org