As Roxanne Patton: Leadership Through Service Springfield Patton strolled through the streets of Manchester, she felt the warmth of familiarity and a connection to the town that influenced her. To those looking from the outside in, it was just another afternoon in this small, harmonious community. But in Patton’s eyes, it was a walk through history — a history interlocked with her family’s well-established reputation of tangible leadership, honor, and love for the city of Manchester.
“Growing up here was great,” Patton recalled. “I didn’t know anything else.”
She grew up in a place where the past and present coexist peacefully in spite of the complexities of race and community dynamics.
When Patton steps into a room, her presence is magnetic. Not because she chases the spotlight but because she carries the kind of leadership that demands respect. She inherited her poised demeanor and effortless engagement with anyone she meets from her loving family, particularly her grandfather, Sam Nevels, a well-known businessman in the community.
“My grandfather had a cafe,” she shared. “There was always a melting pot of people —black, white— it didn’t matter. People brought their business to him.”
Sam Nevels’s cafe, Sam’s Place, was a melting pot of unity where the community came together, regardless of color or creed. It was the same cafe where Patton learned how to be resilient, build sincere connections with others, and dedicate herself to serving others.
“If you want something, you’ve got to work for it,” she said firmly. “Nobody in my family sat around waiting to be taken care of.”
The principle of accountability and strong work ethics have guided her throughout her life, from her early days working in various offices to her eventual venture into public service.
Throughout her life, Patton often found herself as the only person of color in her circles, a situation that could have felt isolating. However, she embraced it with pride and used it as motivation to push herself toward excellence — for both her own growth and her family’s future.
Patton’s entrance into public service came unexpectedly when she was asked to join the Manchester Arts Commission.
“That was probably the first board or commission I was on,” she recalled. “I was working at an attorney’s office, and they asked me to be on that board. I served for about five years.”
In 2008, then-county Mayor David Pennington encouraged Patton to run for alderman. She was elected and served multiple terms, even being appointed to fill a vacant seat in 2020.
“I loved it,” she said. “I didn’t have an agenda. I just wanted to do what was right for the community.”
Patton’s time as an alderman came with several key accomplishments, including the purchase of a new fire truck to support a growing city and the acquisition of land for much-needed soccer fields.
“That field is packed now,” she said proudly. “It’s very good for our community.”
Throughout her years as an alderman and assistant to the county mayor, Patton remained persistent and committed to the community’s most vulnerable populations — its older adults and children.
“We have to take care of our seniors and our children,” she said.
One of her proudest moments as an alderman was securing city funding for the Manchester Senior Citizens Center.
“The county was contributing, but the city wasn’t. We got that passed, and it was a big accomplishment for me.”
However, it’s not Patton’s professional achievements that define her. She’s a nurturer with a servant’s heart who cares immensely about the well-being of others. She selflessly advocates for older adults by working with the Coffee County Senior Citizens organization and supports the next generation through various boards and commissions. Patton’s life is centered around creating meaningful community impact and ensuring prosperity for everyone.
She serves on several boards, including the State Vocational Rehabilitation Board and the Southern Middle Tennessee Local Workforce Development Board. These boards allow her to continue helping others, whether by supporting small businesses or aiding individuals in returning to the workforce after an injury.
“It’s a good feeling to be able to help people,” she said simply. “I can talk to anybody. I’m always the same, and I try my best to treat everybody the same.”
As Patton reflected on her journey, it was clear that her family and life experiences have shaped the woman she is today. Her contagious authenticity and no-nonsense leadership style have earned her the respect and admiration of her peers and the community.
“You vote your conscience,” she advised. “And as long as you’re able to sleep at night, you’ve probably done the right thing.”
Leadership has never been about titles or recognition for Patton — it’s about genuine service to the community and honoring the diligent work of those who came before her. As she steps into the future, a new set of eyes watches her closely — not just from council chambers or board meetings, but from her own family. As she looks into her grandchildren’s eyes, she sees the next generation of potential leaders, who look to her as a living example of love, strength, tenacity, and selflessness.
As they observe her actions and blaze their own paths, they carry with them the values of integrity and service that have defined their family’s legacy. For Patton, the cycle of leadership doesn’t end with her — it’s just beginning again in the hearts and minds of those who will continue to build upon the foundation she laid. GN
