History & Staff

Mark Patterson, owner and housing developer, went to Byrnes High School and graduated in 1981. He entered the University of Georgia in 1981 and graduated with a BSA in 1985. While at UGA he lettered in football as a punter. He married Paula Daves July 6, 1985. Mark went into business with his father Ray Patterson where he learned construction and then started developing land and subdivisions in 1994. From 1994 to the present he has owned several businesses including Pat’s Corners, Pat’s Storage, Stars Sports Academy, M&P Enterprises of Lyman, LLC, Patterson Developers of Lyman, Inc., and Living Waters of Wellford, Inc. Mark started construction of Living Waters Funeral Home and Crematory in November of 2007 which opened in April 2008. He has been involved in church as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for many years. For the past 20 years he has been involved in missions and has travelled all over the world with Carpenters for Christ and Lifeline Faith Ministries. For 2 years Mark felt the Lord was inspiring him to build a funeral home. Through much prayer and planning the Lord blessed and he was able to obtain the property at 529 Spartanburg Highway South where Living Waters Funeral Home and Crematory is now operating. Mark’s goal and heart’s desire is to be able to help people when they are going through some of their toughest times; to be the servant God has called him to be. Mark writes, “We are here to help and to share the love of Jesus any way we can.”

Paula Patterson, owner, manager, pre-need specialist and CCO is a graduate of the Funeral Service Program at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, SC. A former teacher, Paula is also a graduate of the University of Georgia. Paula and Mark have six children; Amber, Chelsea, Kaleb, Jessica, Kayden, and Luis; two granddaughters, Analyse Joy and Lily Maeve; and one grandson, Declan Rhodes. Paula’s hobbies include reading and photography. She and Mark stay active in their church and community.

Zach is a native of Spartanburg County and a graduate of Limestone College with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. Zach has been with Living Waters since October of 2018 and is a Certified Crematory Operator and manages all pet cremations.

Hannah is a native of Spartanburg County and an early graduate of Dorman High School. She also attended Spartanburg Methodist College where she graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice and began her career as a Deputy Coroner in Spartanburg County. She went on to earn her second degree from Piedmont Techinal College in Funeral Service and began working with Living Waters in October of 2019. She is licensed in Funeral Directing and Embalmer and is also a Certified Crematory Operator.

Alana is an apprentice embalmer and funeral director who has been with Living Waters since November of 2021. She is a native of Spartanburg County and a graduate of Byrnes High School and Piedmont Technical College with a degree in Funeral Services. Alana is also a certified crematory operator. She has two cats and two dogs, and, in her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, feeding all the strays in her neighborhood, and watching movies.