Vernedda Marshelle Patton, affectionately loved by so many, entered into eternal rest on October 3, 2026, at the age of 60. Her life was a beautiful testimony of faith, love, service, creativity, and unwavering trust in God.

Vernedda was born on February 13, 1966, in York, South Carolina, to James William Howell and the late Alberta King Hardy. She was raised in York, where the foundation for the woman she would become was formed early. As a child, Vernedda was kind, loving, and compassionate. She was also full of life and enjoyed basketball, softball, cheerleading, and other activities. She shared a special bond with her only brother, the late Ronald Stacy Hardy. Even in her younger years, she possessed a natural eye for style, beauty, and design-a gift that would one day blossom into one of the great joys of her life.

More important than anything else, Vernedda came to know the Lord at an early age. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and joined Galilee Baptist Church. Her relationship with God was not simply something she professed; it became the foundation upon which she built her entire life.

Vernedda graduated from York Comprehensive High School and then entered into a program earning a certificate in secretarial studies. She later attended Valdosta Institute, where she earned a certificate in Medical Assisting. Throughout her professional life, she worked for several years in the banking industry before continuing to use her gifts in ministry and entrepreneurship.

Gifted with extraordinary creativity and an ability to turn ordinary spaces into something beautiful, Vernedda became the founder, owner, and operator of Nedda Decor, her event decorating and design company. For more than ten years, she poured her creativity, style, care, and attention to detail into creating beautiful celebrations for others. Her work was more than decorating-it was an expression of God's presence. She loved beauty, she loved celebration, and she loved creating moments that brought joy to people.

Her heart for service was equally evident through her church home, World Overcomers Ministries, where she was a member since December 1999. She faithfully served under the leadership of Pastor Thomas and Pastor Anett Riley until she entered into eternal rest. In addition to serving for more than 26 years, she was joyfully employed by the ministry for more than eight years. She was a true disciple of the Word of God. She loved Scripture, believed Scripture, lived by Scripture, and found great joy in sharing the love and faithfulness of God with others.

Those who knew Vernedda knew that faith was woven into everything she did. She was a woman of prayer and a woman of praise. People could come to her for love, encouragement, wisdom, and, without question, prayer. She believed in the power of God, and even through life's most difficult seasons, she continued to trust Him. Her life taught those around her that God is still worthy of praise when life is beautiful, when life is difficult, and in every season in between.

For over 37 years, Vernedda shared life in marriage with her husband, Kevin Alton Patton, who was the love of her life! Together they built a family that she treasured deeply. She was the loving and devoted mother of Kevin Alton Patton Jr. and Alicia Renee Patton.

To her children, Vernedda was so much more than a mother. She was a covering. She was their encourager, their intercessor, their teacher, and the cornerstone of their family. She covered her family in prayer every single day and intentionally taught her children to love God, love people, and walk by faith. Her love was not merely spoken-it was demonstrated. It could be felt in her prayers, her encouragement, her presence, her sacrifices, her celebrations, and very often, in her kitchen. Feeding and caring for the people she loved was one of the many ways she made home feel like home.

Vernedda had a way of making people feel loved. Her kindness was genuine, her compassion was deep, and her faith was steadfast. She was creative and stylish, nurturing and generous, strong and encouraging. She loved life, loved her family, loved the people God placed in her path, and above all, she loved the Lord.

Vernedda leaves to cherish her beautiful memory her husband, Kevin Patton; her son, Kevin Patton Jr.; her daughter, Alicia Patton; her father, James William Howell; her sisters: Lisa Hardy McGill, Sherri L. Hardy, Tamara Hardy Davis (Paul), and Miranda Patton; sisters-in-law, Patricia Patton, and Crystal Hughes (James); brother-in-law; Brian Patton (Lisa); along with beloved extended family, church family, friends, and countless others whose lives were touched by her love, prayers, ministry, and encouragement.

Although her earthly presence will be deeply missed, she is experiencing true joy and peace in the presence of God, while her legacy lives in the family she prayed over, the faith she planted in her children, the people she encouraged, the beauty she created, the lives she touched, and the Word of God she held so dearly.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 9, 2026, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home in Goose Creek.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Charleston Marriott, 170 Lockwood Dr in Charleston, South Carolina. Another funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, October 12, 2026 at Galilee Baptist Church, 15 Galilean Road in York, South Carolina.

The burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road Fort Jackson National Cemetery in Columbia, South Carolina.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 869 St. James Avenue, Goose Creek, SC 29445, (843) 553-1511.