Mrs. Thelma Patterson-Canty

Mrs. Thelma Patterson Canty of Tampa, FL passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at College Hill Church of God in Christ, 6414 North 30th Street, Tampa, FL 33610, Minister Rashawn D. Kennedy, Sr. Officiating, Elder Aaron B. Hayes, Sr. Pastor Designate, Church of God in Christ, Dade City, FL, Eulogist. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Park Cemetery, 4615 E. Hanna Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.

Thelma Patterson Canty was born on August 20, 1939, in Marianna, Florida.  She was born to the late Richard Swails and Willie Mae Williams.  She attended Hillsborough County schools and graduated from Middleton High School. Thelma attended college at the University of Tampa where she was one of the first African Americans to integrate the college.  She went on to earn her master’s degree.  She had a love for teaching and education.  During her career she dedicated her life’s work to Hillsborough County schools and retired after teaching for forty-two years.  She dedicated much of her time and love to playing the piano for many churches in the area and she was a dedicated member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority since 1975 and held various leadership positions.

Thelma had a love for crafting and bowling.  She deeply enjoyed creating things with her hands and taking pleasure in the creative expressions that she created.  Whether it was crocheting, sewing, painting, making jewelry, or any other craft that she was passionate about, she had a sense of pride and achievement in her work.  Her love for bowling was not only a way to meet people but provided her with a way to compete with friends and family.  This was evident in her competitiveness as she participated in several bowling leagues and tournaments.

Waiting for her with a heavenly embrace: her father, Richard Swails; her mother, Willie Mae Williams; her stepfather, Elder Lonzo Williams, Sr.; her husbands, Joe L. Patterson Sr. and Clifford Canty, Jr.; siblings, Vicie Moore, Lonzo Williams, Jr., Debra Jean Williams, Lillian Swails Britt, Eunice Swails Peace, Alice Swails Boyd, Bessie Swails Gatlin, Lamar Swails, Sr., Andrew Swails, and Linwood Swails; and grandson, Joe L. Patterson III.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her children, Cheryl Patterson, Joe L. Patterson Jr. (Carrol), and Sonja Patterson; adopted son, Shawn Kennedy (Ashley); step-children, Clifford Canty III, Lenzo Canty (Sharon), Julian Canty, Alicia Edwards-Bowman (Reginald), and Linda Canty; grandchildren, Michael Patterson, Joe Patterson, Thelma Miller, Sandesha Miller (Jerry), Charles Clark, Emanuel Patterson, and Matthew Patterson; several great grand-children; several great-great grand-children; sister-in-law, Mother Pauline Williams; Swails, Peace, and Gatlin Family Members; best-friend, Marlene York-Monroe; special nephew, Elder Aaron B. Hayes, Sr.; Varnesse Tramel and Family; and a host of nieces, nephews, other close family members, and friends that were a great part of her life.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners.

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Thelma Patterson-Canty, please visit our floral store.