Stephen Hester Patton, age 77, of Clarkesville, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Born on December 29, 1948, in Athens, he was a son of the late C. Hester Patton and Mary Alice Church Patton. A 1967 graduate of Central Gwinnett High School, he pursued his education at DeKalb College before answering the call to serve his country and community. Steve dedicated his career to the Army National Guard, where he exemplified the values of discipline, leadership, and sacrifice. Over decades of service, he rose through the ranks to retire as a First Sergeant. As a 1SG, he was the “backbone” of his unit, mentoring countless soldiers with a firm hand and a compassionate heart. Steve also retired from the Building and Planning department of both Gwinnett and Habersham Counties. Steve and his beloved wife, Sybil, spent many years raising their family in Lawrenceville, building deep roots within the community. Following his retirement, they moved to Clarkesville, where they have enjoyed the beauty of the North Georgia mountains for the last 29 years. A legacy of service remains an inspiration to all who served alongside him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Velma Gunter; brother-in-law, Bobby Gunter; brother-in-law, Gerry Gunter; sister-in-law, Vicki Gunter and sister-in-law, Lynn Gunter.
Steve is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Sybil (Gunter) Patton of Clarkesville; son, Stephen (Michelle) Patton of Lavonia; daughter, Kristin (Ryan) Walls of Opelika, AL; son, Jonathan Hester (Casey) Patton of Clarkesville; brother, Bruce (Joan) Patton of Winder; grandchildren, Bree, Blythe, Brennan, Gunter Stephen, Shelly Rae, Ken, Elijah Hester, Lilly, Elizabeth, and Caitlin Mary; two great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Jane (Jimmy) Sell of Lawrenceville; brother-in-law, Joe Gunter of Franklin, NC; and sister-in-law, Sandra Gunter of Lavonia; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services are 2 pm on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home, 175 VFW Road, Cornelia, GA, 30531, with Rev. Hobie Wood and Rev. Dwain Cassady officiating. Prior to the service, the family will receive friends from 12 noon until the service hour on Saturday at McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home. Interment will follow the service in Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery in Clarkesville, with military honors provided by the Grant Reeves Veteran’s Honor Guard.
There will also be a visitation held at Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 300 Simonton Road SW, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046, on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 5-8 pm.
Flowers are accepted, or donations may be made, in Steve’s memory, to https://www.vfwpost7720.org/donations.
An online guest registry is available for the family at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com.
