Tina Lynn Patterson Neathammer

Tina Lynn Patterson Neathammer of Destin, Florida, and Birmingham, Alabama completed her earthly battle against Lyme disease and rheumatoid arthritis in the early hours of May 14, 2022, at the age of 61 years, to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom she has loved and served so faithfully for many years.

Tina was born on June 10, 1960, in Oneonta, Alabama to Wallis Patterson and Mae Dean Patterson Cox. She grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and graduated from Carver High School and then Auburn University in Montgomery with a degree in Audiology.  At the age of 17, she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which began a lifelong battle for her health.

She lived her life to the fullest and loved the sun and water so much that she and her son Zachary Luckie moved to Pensacola, Florida in 1987. She later returned to Birmingham, Alabama, where she met her husband, Richard (Rick) Neathammer at a Charity Bid for Bachelors event. While she didn’t make the winning bid, she did win his heart. Rick has been the love of her life and her champion in her many health challenges for 31 years. Their daughter Tori was born a few years later. Tina was excited about helping her plan her upcoming wedding in December. Her children were her life. She was their biggest cheerleader in everything they did. She was so proud to be their mother.

Family was everything to Tina. She was the glue that held the family together. She loved bringing the family together with Easter egg hunts, family Christmas gatherings and cousin spend the night parties and always made everyone feel special.  She did things big and blessed so many people with her generosity and servant’s heart.

In 2008 Tina was diagnosed with Lyme disease after both she and her daughter Tori became sick. Tina had to do the research and ask the hard questions that finally got them a correct diagnosis, but the years before being diagnosed had wrecked havoc on her body. She made it her mission to find out as much about this disease as she could in order for the two of them to receive proper care. This led her to be involved with the Alabama Lyme Disease Association where she continued her quest to educate others and advocate for those affected by its devastation. She served tirelessly in this capacity until a fall three years ago forced her to slow down in order to focus on her own health and healing. Despite her setbacks, she never allowed her illness to define her. She always walked with grace.

Her favorite place to be was by the ocean, and Destin became the home she thrived in best during the final years. She loved sunset cruises with Rick in the harbor and sitting by the pool letting the views and sunshine refresh her soul. On the day that she joined her heavenly Father in her eternal home, her Bible, devotional book and pen were in her favorite spot at the kitchen table overlooking the bay; a sweet reminder of how she loved her time spent with Jesus. While we grieve her home going, we grieve with hope, knowing that we will see her again.

Tina was preceded in death by her mother, Mae Dean Gilliland Cox, mother-in-law, Marilyn Neathammer, and father-in-law, Richard Neathammer.

Tina is survived by her husband Rick Neathammer; son Zachary Luckie; daughter Tori Neathammer (fiancé Daniel Chiles); parents Wallis and Joyce Patterson; and siblings Russell Patterson, Connie Boggan (Larry), and Tracy Mitchell; sister-in-love Pam Calametti (Ed). She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews: Daniel (Bethany), Caleb, Samuel, Anna Hawkins (Caleb), Abigail, Elijah, and Noah Boggan; Lindsey Mitchell; Brad Calametti (Mary); Alison Cash (Alfred); great-nieces and nephews: (Azariah, Selah, and Zemirah Boggan; Charlie, Cameron and Carmen Hawkins; Samantha and Catherine Cash; Jack and Luke Calametti); and a special aunt, Lee Sprenger, along with many other cousins and life long friends.  

A celebration of Tina’s amazing life will be held on Monday, June 20th with Visitation to start at 10:00 am followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am at The Church of The Highlands Chapel in Birmingham, Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Global Lyme Alliance or LymeDisease.org

Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com

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