Curtis C. Patterson was born in Honey Island, Mississippi on February 8, 1905, to the union of Arthur Scott and Mahalia Patterson.

He began his education in Belzoni, Mississippi. Curtis came to Chicago in 1927 to live with an older brother and his wife. He was hired to work for the Pullman Company at 15th and Indiana as a Car Supplier. Curtis later was trained to be an Electrician. He retired with 43 years of service in 1970.

Curtis accepted Christ at a very early age in Belzoni, Mississippi. He attended Mount Ararat A. M. E. Church in Belzoni and was an active member of the Sunday School. He also sang in the church choir. After leaving Mississippi, Curtis visited a number of churches in Chicago but didn't affiliate himself with any church until he joined Grant Memorial in 1958 under the pastorate of the late, Rev. Harvey E. Walden. Curtis chose not to belong to any club or hold any position in the church building. However, everybody who knew him was aware of his Christian dedication to doing God's work outside the church building. He would deny himself things that he needed to help those he knew who were less fortunate than he. His faith in God was without question. He had a great love for God and all mankind.

Curtis was united in holy matrimony to Willie Mae Smith on June 20, 1942. No children were born to this union. This marriage was dissolved in 1986 after 44 years with the death of Willie Mae.

Curtis served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army and was Honorably Discharged for his service.

He leaves to cherish his memory: one aunt, Mrs. Amelia McCoy (103 years old) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Mrs. Thelma Green of Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. Odessa McGinnis of Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. Adele Moss of St. Louis, Missouri; Mrs. E. Connie Ferguson of St. Albans, New York; two nieces-in-law: Mrs. Wilbertine Wells and Mrs. Mayme Wells; three nephews, Horace Wells, Alphonso Wells, and Bennie Wells all of Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. Henriene Clay, niece of Chicago, Illinois; and a host of grand nieces, great grandnieces, grandnephews, great grandnephews, cousins, and friends.

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