Charlotte native to fellow seniors: ‘We Ain’t Dead Yet’

SHERON PATTERSON

Sheron Patterson, a retired Methodist minister who grew up in Charlotte, is the author of "We Ain't Dead Yet: 20 Faith Moves for Women Aging with Power, Purpose, and Praise."

Aging isn’t a death sentence.

Retired minister and Charlotte native Sheron Patterson champions healthy aging, especially for women in her new book “We Ain't Dead Yet: 20 Faith Moves for Women Aging with Power, Purpose, and Praise.”

Patterson, a West Charlotte High School graduate who lives in Dallas, Texas, will be in Charlotte Aug. 1 for a book signing from 2–4 p.m. at First Baptist West Church, 1801 Oaklawn Ave. 

The book’s message is simple: stepping into retirement is a new chapter of opportunity and engagement, especially for women. As the U.S. population aging – according to the 2020 Census, 55.8 million people, or 18% of the population, were 65 and older – Patterson, 67, encourages people to talk openly about purpose and possibilities.

“I retired two years ago after 40 years as a as a Methodist pastor, and in my retirement, I looked around and I saw so many people aging all willy nilly out here without a plan, just laying around waiting on death,” she said. “I discovered as a pastor, looking back in the Word of God, so much inspiration and instruction for us as we age. Eating, of course, exercising, but also mentally and physically. I want to let people know that fruitfulness does not have an expiration date, so we can’t sit back and just get in a rocking chair and die. We have to keep moving and keep being a part of society and the community and making a difference.”

Patterson, the first Black woman ordained in the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, has carved out a second career as an advocate for relationships, wellness, and healthy aging. Since reaching retirement, she’s using her own experience to empower people similarly situated or considering it. Those lessons are in “We Ain’t Dead Yet,” her ninth book.

“We think retirement means it’s over for us, but it really means it’s just beginning,” said Patterson, who grew up in the McCrorey Heights community in west Charlotte. “I hadn't planned on this ministry. I thought I was going to retire and just put my feet up and watch TV all day. But I do work out and I do post. I’m very active on social media, and lots of women saw me in the gym working out and walking and hiking, and they were like, ‘You’re this age and you’re doing all that. Show me how to do it,’ so there’s an interest in fitness as we age, and it’s about giving people the opportunity. Here’s the larger point I want to make – we are some of the first generation to have the luxury of a conversation on longevity.”

In addition to practical advice in her book, Patterson believes America needs a different approach – and intergenerational conversation – about aging and social bias. Between longer lifespans and Baby Boomers – people born between 1946-64 – expanding the ranks of retirees, it’s overdue.

“Our American society is built on youth and by and youthfulness and being young, and while it has its place … we are turning the tide on that conversation and saying having age is power,” she said. “Having age is wisdom. Having age is not as bad as we make it out to be. 

“Our grandmothers, back when we were growing up, had gray hair, and they did kind of sit around. But today’s grandmothers are with me in the gym, pumping iron, running 5Ks, running businesses. We are very vibrant and showing the world what we can do. And here's the larger issue: statistically, America is about to go into a time period where there’ll be more people over 65 than ever, so our sheer numbers are going to demonstrate a vitality with the concept of aging.”

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