Luther Raleigh Patton

Mr. Luther Raleigh Patton, age 92, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Memorial Hospital from pneumonia. Mr. Patton was a life-long resident of the Gulf Coast, born in Saucier on October 25, 1916, the youngest son of Evariste aÌ‚â‚Å“Valreeceâ₝ and Mary Jacobs Patton. He was best known for his time in politics, including serving as Sheriff and Tax-Collector of Harrison County from 1968-1971 overseeing law enforcement on the coast during Hurricane Camille and the aftermath. He also was a member of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, serving on the GovernoraÌ‚â‚â„¢s detail in Jackson and was the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the MS Department of Fish and Game Southern District. aÌ‚â‚Å“Sheriffâ₝ Patton had a farm on Hwy 53 and enjoyed hunting and fishing in his early years. He was employed with Broadus Furniture Company for over 20 years. He graduated from Success High School and was a Methodist attending both Burton Memorial and Lyman Methodist Church for many years. Most recently he attended Lakeview Baptist church in Lyman and lived at the Lakeview Nursing Home.
He was preceded in death by his wife of forty-years Florence Hamner Patton, his parents, three brothers aÌ‚â‚"" Virgil, James, and Woodrow, five sisters- Clara, Cora, Ethel, Hazel, and Zimley, and his grandson, Ryan Christopherson.
He is survived by a large, loving family consisting of his son Shephard Hamner aÌ‚â‚Å“Sonnyâ₝ Patton and wife Cindy; son Luther R. aÌ‚â‚Å“Ronnieâ₝ Patton II and wife Janet; son Hunter Lowery Patton and wife Jan all of Gulfport; grandchildren Andy R. Patton (Sandy) of Hill City, Kansas; Shephard H. Patton, Jr. (Melinda) of Vaiden, MS; Susan Patton Shannon (Jeff) of Mesa, AZ; Shane Tyler Patton of Hattiesburg, MS; Nancy Barron, Deanna Patton, and Christopher Patton, all of Gulfport, and PO1 Jarrell Patton (Heather) of Suffolk, VA. He also is survived by nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 24, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11213 Highway 49 North in Gulfport, where friends and family may gather. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25th in the funeral home with visitation one hour prior to services. Burial will follow at Finley Cemetery in Lyman. For more information, please call (228)539-9800.