Aubrey Burns Patterson, Jr., 82
September 25, 1942 — January 21, 2025
Longtime businessman and community leader, Aubrey Burns Patterson, Jr. passed away on January 21, 2025, at the age of 82 at North Mississippi Medical Center. Born in Grenada, Mississippi, on September 25, 1942, to Aubrey B. Patterson and Elizabeth Staten Patterson, Aubrey spent his childhood in Grenada; Water Valley, Mississippi; and Oxford, Mississippi. Aubrey attended and graduated from Oxford University High School in 1960, where he met his best friend, soulmate, and future wife, Ruby Kathryn Clegg. Upon graduating from high school, Aubrey enrolled at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). He graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1964. He was an active member of the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity and supported both organizations throughout his life. Aubrey joined the United States Air Force. While serving in the USAF, he married Ruby Kathryn in 1964. Both of them lived and started their family in St. Louis, Missouri; Lansing, Michigan; Karamursel, Turkey; and Omaha, Nebraska. Aubrey graduated from Michigan State University first in his class with a Master’s Degree in Accountancy in 1969.
Returning to civilian life, Aubrey began a career in banking at Bank of Mississippi in 1972. Aubrey was promoted to president and chief operating officer in 1983. In 1990, he was named chief executive officer and chairman of the board. In the 1990s, several mergers allowed the bank to grow from a state bank to an interstate bank holding company known as BancorpSouth. During that time, Aubrey was instrumental in lobbying for changes in federal interstate banking laws to allow banks to operate across connected state lines. His work led to the merger of Bank of Mississippi and Jackson National Bank (Volunteer Bank) under the holding company of BancorpSouth, which eventually became the regional bank name of BancorpSouth Bank, with locations in eight states with assets over $13 billion. Aubrey also played a pivotal role in legislation that allowed banks to enter into the independent insurance agency industry. Aubrey retired from BancorpSouth, now Cadence Bank, in 2013 as chairman of the board emeritus.
Besides his employment at BancorpSouth, Aubrey served as the president of the American Bankers Association, President of the Mississippi Bankers Association, and held numerous board positions including North Mississippi Health Services, Community Development Foundation (CDF), Journal Publishing Company, Yocona Counsel of the Boy Scouts of America, Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, The Boys & Girls Clubs of North Mississippi, CREATE Foundation, Mississippi Economic Council, Mississippi’s Public Education Forum, Mississippi Power Company and many others.
Aubrey received many awards throughout his life. During his service in the USAF, he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He was elected to the Mississippi Business Hall of Fame and the University of Mississippi Alumni Hall of Fame, He received the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, and Silver Buffalo Awards from the Boy Scouts of America. He received an award for forty-five years of service in Tupelo Kiwanis Club. In 2005, Aubrey was awarded the Outstanding Citizen of the Year award by the Junior Auxiliary and many other notable awards. Over and above his career accomplishments, Aubrey’s greatest joy in life was his family. Aubrey spent sixty-five years with Ruby Kathryn, five in courtship and sixty in marriage. From that union came a lifetime of love, companionship, balance, respect, and service to others. Aubrey enjoyed traveling with his family and spending time at the family homeplace in Cotton Plant, MS.
Aubrey is preceded in death by his parents and older sister Betty Ann. Aubrey leaves behind his wife, Ruby Kathryn Clegg Patterson of Tupelo; two sons, Aubrey “Tracy” Patterson, III and wife, Jan, Clay Patterson and wife, Kris; his daughter, Jennifer Martin and husband, Kevin, all of Saltillo. Grandchildren, Anna Kathryn Pugh and husband, Marc of Madison, Alabama. Aubrey B Patterson, IV and fiancé, Kelli Graham of Saltillo, Kaci Stucki and husband Daniel of Madison, Alabama. Kara Crawford of Madison, Alabama. Kathryn Martin, John Martin, Clayton Patterson, Jr, Chase Patterson, Blake Patterson, and Henry Martin of Saltillo. He also leaves two great-grandchildren, Flinn Pugh and Addison Pugh; along with extended family member Kevin McMinn. Aubrey was fortunate to have special individuals throughout his life and especially in his later years that helped to assist him and his family in numerous ways; Mary Cunningham, Johnny Cunningham, Darrell Gates, and Brooklyn Johnson.
Visitation will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 400 Jefferson St., Tupelo, MS on Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 1:30PM to 4:00PM. Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 4:00PM Pallbearers will be Aubrey B. Patterson, IV, John Martin, Clayton Patterson, Jr, Blake Patterson, Chase Patterson, and Henry Martin, Daniel Stucki and Marc Pugh.
Honorary Pallbearers will be The Honorable Glen Davidson, Pat Caldwell, Dr. Billy Walton, Lewis Whitfield, Mike Sappington, Larry Kirk, David Rumbarger and Buddy Stubbs.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Samaritan’s Purse or the church of their choice.
Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be made at peguesfuneralhome.com.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
