Mario Andretti Patterson, 50, was born on September 10, 1968 to Annie Hairston Smith and Harry Lee Smith in Winston-Salem.He was later adopted and raised by Paul Patterson.He took flight to his heavenly home on January 25, 2019.

Mario attended the public schools and was an outstanding athlete in many sports.He went on the attend Norfolk State University.He was an active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church throughout his childhood and later joined Revealed Church of Christ where he worked faithfully until his death.He was employed by the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem as a maintenance worker.

Mario leaves to cherish his memories his mother, Rev. Annie Dalton and step-father, James William Dalton of the home; children, Andrea Matthews and Tyrie Brown; God-son Jerome Allen, Sr; grandchildren, Jerome Allen, II and Kyan Brown, all of Winston-Salem; brother, Russell Patterson of Alabama and many other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Emmanuel Baptist Church – 1075 Shalimar Road, Winston-Salem, NC with Rev. James Taylor, Sr., Pastor of Revealed Church of Christ, as the eulogist.The family visitation will be at 12:00 noon prior to the celebration.Mario's mortal frame shall lie in repose Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Service, Winston-Salem Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC, P. O. Box 4299, Winston-Salem, NC 27115 in Mario's name.