Gilbert E. Patterson

Gilbert Earl Patterson (September 22, 1939[1] – March 20, 2007[2]) was an American Pentecostal-Holiness leader and minister who served as the international Presiding Bishop and Chief Apostle of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), Inc. Bishop Patterson was the second youngest person to ever be elected Presiding Bishop of COGIC at the age 60 in 2000, second to his predeceased uncle Bishop J. O. Patterson, Sr who was 56 when he was elected Presiding Bishop in 1968.[3][4]

Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson Sr.
Church	Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ
In office	1975 – 2007 (Bishop); 2000–2007 (Presiding Bishop)
Predecessor	Bishop Chandler D. Owens
Successor	Charles Edward Blake, Sr.
Personal details
Born	(1939-09-22)September 22, 1939 Humboldt, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	March 20, 2007(2007-03-20) (aged 67) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Spouse	Louise Dowdy Patterson
Occupation	Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ, Pastor, Televangelist, Singer

On March 28, 2007, the United States Senate passed a resolution celebrating the life of Patterson. The sponsors were Senators Barack Obama, Carl Levin, John Kerry, Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker.[5]