Happy New Year! We are excited to again raise funds in memory of Earline Campbell Patterson. All donations will be used by the Decatur Morgan County Minority Development Assn. (DMDA) for scholarships for deserving college students in North Alabama. Each year, the DMDA awards multiple scholarships in amounts ranging from $500 to $1,500 to help students pursue a college education.

Our goal for 2026 is $2,500.00. Your donation in any amount will honor Earline's memory.

A native of North Alabama, Earline Campbell Patterson loved her community and always believed that she could have a positive impact, in spite of challenges in her early life. Born in 1930, she had no memory of her mother, who drowned in November of 1932.

Earline was sent to live with her birth father, then moved to Ohio with a paternal aunt before returning to Alabama, where she met and married James Patterson.

Haunted by the circumstances of her mother's death, Earline had a lifelong fear of deep water and never learned to swim. James, however, was an excellent swimmer. He once joined the search for, and helped recover, the body of a young boy who drowned in the river.

James also was musically gifted, and a member of a singing group. Earline used to say that she loved his whistle and listened for it when he returned from work at the end of the day. Maybe she loved this about him because one of the few things she could not do, besides swim, was sing!

Together, Earline and James raised seven children. James worked as a tire man for Goodyear. When her children were young, Earline worked as a maid. Both James and Earline had to leave school at a young age to work. Neither finished high school. However, they both valued education and managed to send several of their children to college.

Perhaps memories from her own early childhood planted the seed that would grow into her life’s work. Earline always seemed to know her purpose. She was passionate about nutrition and childcare, particularly early childhood development. Earline understood that reliable and affordable childcare allows parents to work and pursue educational opportunities, benefitting families and improving our economy.

When her own children were old enough, Earline decided to continue her education. She obtained her GED at 36. The next year, she began attending classes at the University of Alabama, obtaining credits in preschool education. She also began working at a daycare within walking distance of her home. Somewhere between the ages of 37 and 40, she learned how to drive so she could continue her education at both the University of Alabama and Samford University.

At 47, Earline opened her first state-licensed daycare to provide childcare to low-income families.

She became a board member of FOCAL, the Federation of Childcare Centers of Alabama.

She started her work with child nutrition by writing a grant to fund meals for children in daycare homes. From that effort, she managed to change the trajectory of child nutrition for underprivileged children throughout Alabama. Earline operated a child nutrition program that trained more than 100 in-home childcare providers on proper nutrition guidelines for feeding children. Earline conducted training workshops, audited the homes, and helped make sure the providers were following state-approved menus. This ensured that the children could receive healthy meals and the providers could maintain their licenses.

One summer, she organized a lunch program, packing and delivering meals to children in three of her county's low-income housing developments. Earline understood that many of the children in these communities relied on the meals they received while in school. She took action to try to ensure that children still had access to nutritious meals during the summer break.

Even after she retired from the businesses she started, she volunteered with Meals on Wheels and Big Brothers, Big Sisters for years.

She was passionate about politics and worked the polls for every election well into her seventies.

Earline believed in sharing knowledge and working together to help improve our community. She knew her strengths and did not waste her time on her weaknesses. A child of the Great Depression, she was efficient and resourceful.

Over 85 years, she raised a family, built lifelong friendships, served her church (Waymon Chapel, AME), and never stopped advocating for children.

Earline’s difficult early years fueled a lifelong passion for improving the early years of young children. She believed she could make a difference, and she did.

Please help us continue to support our community, educate the leaders of tomorrow, and honor Earline's memory