Two die in fire

Published 3:50 pm Monday, June 27, 2016

‘Good, loving people’ die in house fire

THOMASVILLE (CNHI) — The charred mobile home — at 258 Wade Chastain Road — in which a married couple died early Monday morning is barely visible from the dirt road.

Positioned in a shady, secluded location, the mobile home is where Marvin Patterson, 69, and his wife, Dolly Patterson, 63, perished in a blaze during predawn hours.

Family friend Montae Whitehurst, who was at the fire scene Monday morning, said Patterson family members, also at the location, did not wish to comment on the deaths.

Said Whitehurst, “From what the fire department said, the fire started in the living room, and they were trying to get out the back door and didn’t make it.”

Two dogs and a cat also died in the blaze.

Mrs. Patterson’s body was found in the kitchen, her husband’s in the rear of the mobile home, Whitehurst said.

The fire is believed to have begun in the center of the dwelling. “We believe it’s probably something electrical,” said Bob Duthoy, Thomas County Fire/Rescue deputy chief.

People who live in a mobile home close to the Pattersons reported the fire a few minutes before 3 a.m.

A state fire marshal is investigating the blaze, which is believed to be accidental, Duthoy said.

Firefighters were at the scene for more than four hours Monday morning.

“We haven’t found any sign of smoke detectors inside the residence,” the deputy chief said.

Whitehurst had known the Pattersons for more than 15 years.

“They were good, loving people, loved their family,” he said.

The Pattersons have two daughters, four grandchildren and one grandchild.

“He loved his grandkids,” said Barry McCray. Mr. Patterson retired from McCray’s Air Conditioning Technology after about 20 years of employment.

“Whatever the situation was, he always had a comical comeback, kept you laughing,” McCray said.

Mrs. Patterson, who was retired from nursing, was equally entertaining, McCray said.

“They were definitely a matched set,” he added.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.