Wanda Patterson graduated from West Georgia College in 1969 with a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education. She taught English and journalism for 30 years at Sprayberry High School in Marietta. Since retirement, Miss Patterson has devoted much of her time to research concerning American Indians in general and the Cherokee in particular. She is a charter member of the Georgia Trail of Tears Association. On behalf of the chapter, she edited a volume of poetry by Cherokee writer John Rollin Ridge, as well as serving on the Trail of Tears Speakers Staff.

Miss Patterson has been a member of the Fielding Lewis Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution for eleven years. In her role as Historian, Miss Patterson published a book celebrating 112 years of the accomplishments of the Fielding Lewis Chapter of DAR. Miss Patterson also serves on the Georgia DAR Regent's Speakers Staff.