Together Again

CHARLES AND DORIS PATTERSON

      Charles & Doris Patterson became members of  Chapter H, Dixie Wings, Franklin, TN. in the early 1990s. They were The Chapter Directors from 2002 thru the end of 2004. This couple was the epitome of what true leaders are supposed to be. They never met a person that they didn’t know and they always made you feel like they had known you forever. People were always welcomed in, like they were family. Doris always had a hug for everyone.  In their travels they always tried to bring Gold Wing riders into GWRRA, because they truly believed in their motto of Friends for Fun, Safety and Knowledge.  

      Doris passed on February 5th 2007 after a hard battle with cancer. Charles joined his beloved Doris on November 7th 2007. He was on his way to the Veterans Day Parade in Clarksville, TN.  His best friend Jerry Hunt, was at his side when they stopped for gas.  Charles bike refused to start so he knelt down to see what was wrong and died of heart failure kneeling next to his bike. We have always said that we can see Doris standing next to him saying “come on Charles your always late”.

      The loss of this couple was a hard blow to their family, our entire Chapter our group and the State of Tennessee.  We all miss them terribly. We know that Charles & Doris are watching over us and are very proud of what our group, The Original Dixie Wings have accomplished since they left us.

 Charles and Doris,

Till we see you again keep riding the roads in Heaven.

 Below is a tribute in the form of a poem that was written by Sherri Davis a lifelong friend and member of Chapter H.

Gold Wing in Heaven

by Mrs. Sheri Davis

When Charles got to Heavens gate,

St. Peter told him, "You'll have to wait"!

He heard a motor coming near,

And what he saw , was oh so dear.

A solid gold Goldwing soon appeared,

With  Doris on the back smiling ear to ear.

I've been waiting Charles, for you to ride,

Through the clouds and sky we can now glide.

Its all so pretty with streets of gold,

I'm on the back Charles, with you to hold.

Oh we still go on dinner rides to eat,

There's lots of GWRRA members for you to meet.

There's Red Lobster, and Captain D's,

McDonalds, Burger King, and KFC's,

All our favorites are here to eat,

With so many bikers, it can't be beat.

We need no helmets, or heated vests,

The good times here are always the best.

Traffic flows above us here,

The roads everywhere are always clear.

Bike rides last for days on end,

With lots of curves , around every bend.

Beautiful hills and mountains to see,

A wonderful place for us to be.

I miss the girls, way back on earth.

We've been with them so long, since birth.

And my soul inside me is somewhat hollow,

But, I know God has a plan ,that  we must follow.

I've been busy Charles, with the chapter here,

Mount up now, our most important ride  is near.

What chapter are we, as his engines were "revinin,"

Oh , Charles, of course, we're Chapter "H" for Heaven.