The Wiregrass lost one of its long-time educators Thursday after a fire swept through her two-story home near downtown Geneva.
Lillie Mac Patton, 83, served more than two decades as a teacher in Geneva County, mostly in the Geneva City School system. But she will be remembered as more than just an educator after a fire at her Live Oak Street home took her life early Thursday morning.
Geneva County Sheriff Greg Ward remembered Patton as a unique teacher. She taught Ward chemistry at Geneva High School.
“She helped us learn the importance of school,” Ward said. “She knew how to relate to the students. I think everybody enjoyed going to her class. It’s tough for Geneva, we lost a good friend. We lost a member of our family.”
Geneva City Schools Superintendent Jim Bixby recalled Patton as his mentor.
“She taught in the science department, and I was teaching social studies,” Bixby said. “I was 22 years old and right out of college. She was a big help to a me. She kind of taught me the ropes.”
Bixby said Patton started teaching in the 1960s and retired in 1990. Bixby said Patton’s daughter, Shay Lindsey, works as a teacher at Geneva Middle School.
Geneva County District Court Judge Charles Fleming, who said Patton also taught him science and chemistry, said Patton raised three children, and lived much of her life in a house built in 1887. Fleming said the home, located at 200 Live Oak St., was considered part of old downtown Geneva.
“It’s sad that we lost a great person in Ms. Patton, and it’s sad that we lost a great historical landmark in the Hightower Patton house,” Fleming said. Patton’s maiden name was Hightower.
Margaret Mixon, the Geneva County Emergency Management Agency director, remembered Patton as a family friend and neighbor who lived just around the corner.
Geneva Fire Chief Ben Latimer said authorities responded to the fire shortly after midnight. He said the fire completely burned the home in less than an hour. The Geneva Fire Department was assisted by firefighters with the Samson, Hartford and Bellwood fire departments. Patton’s body was found near a fireplace in the home just before 11 a.m.
Latimer said the State Fire Marshals Office has taken over the investigation into the cause of the fire because it was a fatal fire. Geneva Police Lt. Ricky Morgan said there was likely no foul play involved in the blaze.
“We spent all night raking through coals and searching through the debris looking for the lady that lived inside,” Latimer said. “It was just a big heap of smoldering ruins.”
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