Patsy “Pat” Fletcher went to meet her Lord on Dec. 19, 2023, after a brief illness. She was born to Stanley Robert and Dollie Mae Peavy Fletcher on the Ides of March, Mar. 15, 1951 in Winnsboro, and lived her entire childhood in Baskin.
After graduating in 1969, she enrolled at Northeast Louisiana University where she earned a B.A. degree in 1972. She moved to Lake Charles, where she obtained her M.ED. in 1976, earning her M +30 at McNeese State University.
Freshly out of college, Pat accepted her first teaching position at Grand Lake High School in Cameron Parish. This teaching role would establish her career of over four decades. Pat blessed Grand Lake with her unique blend of quirkiness and compassion as a true champion of academia sharing her love of British and American literature with her students.
She was an active and faithful member of Trinity Baptist Church where she became a valued volunteer visiting elderly members and attending to their needs until her death. Pat’s voice was very soft, but her life spoke loudly of the Christian values she shared of generosity, encouragement, and compassion. She did not have to talk about her daily walk with God, she simply lived it. Her love of music brought much peace to her, and she was gifted with a beautiful voice.
Pat was not merely an educator and caring mentor but to anyone she chanced to meet in the grocery store line, getting tires, or wherever she was, people found solace in her genuine compassion as she shared inspirational stories and heartfelt advice. It was not uncommon for her to break out into an impromptu song or to show love by giving them a nickname or a “hug of the day.” She never failed to celebrate those she held close on birthdays or special occasions with her signature cards, complete with any variety of stickers and filling every space with her heartfelt wishes.
Pat was known as “The Cat Lady” to many. Her stories and pictures of her beloved cats left no doubt she loved them with her whole self. Pat was an extraordinary woman who enriched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know her. She wove a legacy of laughter, learning, and a love for literature into the tapestry of lives that will forever echo through the corridors of their hearts.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, Bobbie Fletcher McGaha, Linda Kelley, Ellen Walker, and David Fletcher.
She is survived by two nieces and a nephew: Donna Jones, Brenda Prior and Rufus Butch Jones, a host of close friends, thousands of students and the last of her five beloved cats, Mabel.
A Memorial Service was held at 6:30 p.m. on the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 3, in the Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles Chapel. Visitation was held at 5 p.m. until the start of the service at 6:30 p.m. Inurnment will be in Winnsboro, at a later date.
Her loved ones would like to thank the Staff at both Amedysis Hospice and Sage Oak Assisted Living in Lake Charles; Mona Edwards, her devoted Care Giver; Dr. Mickey Woodward and Staff of University Animal Clinic who graciously adopted Mabel as their ‘Clinic Cat.’
Memorial donations may be made to: Hobo Hotel, PO Box 810, Lake Charles LA 70602 or Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, 7200 Desiard St., Monroe LA 71203
(Paid Memorial)