Liz Patterson, last woman to represent SC in Congress, dies

Public service is the best way to describe Liz Patterson’s life and legacy in the Upstate, according to her family and those who knew her.

The former U.S. representative for South Carolina’s 4th District died Saturday after an extended illness. She was 78, a week shy for her 79th birthday, son Pat Patterson confirmed.

As a Democrat in a conservative-leaning district, Liz Patterson was elected from the district three terms, serving from 1987 to 1993. The district includes Spartanburg and Greenville counties. Her father was former S.C. Gov. Olin D. Johnston, who held that post for six years beginning in 1935, and, later, was elected four times to the U.S. Senate.

Gladys Elizabeth Johnston Patterson was born in Columbia and graduated from Columbia College.

Patterson had her debut in politics in 1975 when she was elected to the Spartanburg County Council. She was elected to the state Senate in 1979, where she was known for restructuring the state budget and serving on the governor’s task force on hunger and nutrition.

Patterson was elected to U.S. House in 1986, the only woman in S.C. history to serve in Congress who did not follow her deceased husband.

When representing the 4th District in Congress, Patterson served on three committees: Veterans’ Affairs; Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs; and the Select Committee on Hunger, according to the U.S. House.

Patterson lost a re-election bid in 1992 to Republican Bob Inglis. In 1994, she ran one last campaign, winning the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor before losing the general election to Republican Bob Peeler.

Later in life, she worked at Converse College in Spartanburg, taught at Spartanburg Methodist College and, increasingly, became involved in her church, Central United Methodist in Spartanburg, Pat Patterson said.

Liz Patterson also was active in the Spartanburg County Democratic Party and the League of Women Voters.

Her last public role was as president of the Rotary Club of Spartanburg, where she remained a member until her passing, Pat Patterson said, adding Rotary was her “big passion project.”

“Her greatest public role was as our congresswoman for six years,” Pat Patterson said. “But, she always said, she wanted her legacy not to be about her and the years she served in office but hoped that she was remembered for how she left Spartanburg and the 4th District and South Carolina a little bit better than she found it.”

Rob Brown, a priest at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Spartanburg, had known Patterson most of his life. With an interest in politics at a young age, he volunteered on Patterson’s campaign. When Patterson was elected, she brought Brown with her to Washington, D.C. There, Brown was Liz Patterson’s legislative assistant before moving back to the Upstate to work in her district office for five years.

“Public service for her was a way of life. It wasn’t a campaign slogan. She truly worked hard to make a difference in people’s lives,” Brown said. “She was kind, thoughtful and sincere and, more than anything, authentic. You don’t always hear a description like that with politicians, but she was genuine. She cared about the people she served.”

In a statement, S.C. Democratic Party Chairman Trav Robertson said, “Congresswoman Patterson truly embodied truth and civility in politics. Following in the footsteps of her father, she devoted herself to a life of public service. At a time when women were often written-off in her line of work, she showed resilience and compassion as she became a trailblazer for those who would come after her. ...

“I remember Liz as always being honest, no matter what it was that needed to be told. She was a brilliant woman, and the legacy she leaves is one of determination and success,” said Robertson. “The congresswoman left our state better than she found it.”

Pat Patterson said his mother expressed a desire to vote in one more election. She got that wish last week, he said. “That was something that was very important to her.”

Patterson said he will remember how his mother gave herself to the community during her years outside of public office.

“Mom believed politics was just a means to an end. It was all about public service,” he said. “I ask everybody that as they remember my mother, remember the public servant and honor her by doing something good to make their community a better place.”

This story was originally published November 12, 2018 at 1:38 PM.