ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
23-268
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
March 3, 2020
To recognize Florence Gray Patterson on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
WHEREAS, Florence Gray Patterson was born in Aquasco, Maryland, on February 26,
1920, the same year that the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the
womens suffrage amendment, was ratified, as the twelfth child of Charles and Bertha Gray;
WHEREAS, Florence Gray Patterson attended St. Michaels Church and for her
education, attended Cedarville Elementary School, graduated from Frederick Douglass High
School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland in 1937 and attended Maryland Teachers College at
Bowie, known today as Bowie State University;
WHEREAS, Florence Gray Patterson relocated to Washington, D.C. and lived with her
sister, Vicki, and was a second mother to Vickis youngest child, Janett;
WHEREAS, Florence Gray Patterson worked at the United States Department of the
Navy, first as clerk and then as an Assistant Supervisor of Messengers, and received several
awards for her outstanding work;
WHEREAS, Florence Gray Patterson married John A. Pat Patterson on November 10,
1942 while he was serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, traveled the country
extensively to visit him in places like New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Alabama and New
Jersey, and remained married until Pat died on June 14, 1981;
WHEREAS, Florence Gray Patterson and her husband John. A. Pat Patterson became
the proud parents of Ann Denise, who was born and raised in Washington, D.C.;
WHEREAS, Florence Gray Patterson worked as a substitute teacher in Prince Georges
County public schools after leaving the United States Department of the Navy, and then worked
in District of Columbia public schools, most recently as a Program Assistant at Shaw Junior
High School, until she retired in 1980 after working at Shaw Junior High School for 18 years;
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 ENROLLED ORIGINAL
WHEREAS, Florence Gray Patterson lived over 50 years in Washington, D.C. and has
now lived in Prince Georges County, Maryland for the last 18 years with her daughter and son
in law, Dr. Edwin Chapman, where she is a devoted grandmother to two grandchildren, Edwin
Jr. and Mia, and great-grandmother to 2 great grandchildren and enjoys spending time with
family and friends, slot machines, shopping, playing games like bingo and cards, visiting family
and talking about old times;
WHEREAS, Florence Gray Patterson celebrates her 100th Birthday on February 26,
2020.
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the Florence Gray Patterson Recognition
Resolution of 2020.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and congratulates Florence
Gray Patterson for 100 years of life and extends its best wishes for many more healthy and
loving years.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in
the District of Columbia Register.
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