Patsy Ruth Fletcher

“And whether we shall meet again I know not. Therefore our everlasting farewell take: For ever, and for ever, farewell! If we do meet again, why, we shall smile; If not, why then, this parting was well made.” (Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar) 

Patsy “Pat” Fletcher went to meet her Lord on December 19, 2023, after a brief illness. She was born to Stanley Robert and Dollie Mae Peavy Fletcher on the Ides of March (March 15), 1951 in Winnsboro, Louisiana, and spent her childhood in nearby Baskin, Louisiana. 

It was at Baskin High School she met Margaret Baskin Franks who, as her favorite English teacher, greatly influenced Pat’s life and inspired her love of the subjects she then taught her entire career. She also greatly respected and remained close friends throughout her life with her high school basketball coach, Willie Edna “Tiny” Tarbutton, a state and national hall of famer. After graduating from Baskin High School in 1969, she enrolled at Northeast Louisiana University (now UL-Monroe) where she obtained a B.A. degree in 1972.  She then moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she obtained her M.ED. degree at McNeese State University, in 1976 and later earned her M +30 degree.  

Freshly out of college, Pat accepted her first teaching position at Grand Lake High School in Cameron Parish, Grand Lake, Louisiana. This teaching role would establish her roots and cultivate a career of over four decades.   Pat blessed Grand Lake with her unique blend of quirkiness and compassion. A true champion of academia, she shared her love of British and American literature with her students.  Known for her high expectations, she turned each essay into a literary journey, demanding multiple graded drafts that pushed her students to refine their prose to perfection. Pat’s Shakespeare units were an annual rite of passage, where every student discovered the joy (or the trauma) of memorizing a monologue and performing it for the entire class. She also put great emphasis on grammar rules and sentence diagramming which often led McNeese State University’s English professors to identify her students quickly through their strong writing and grammar skills. Pat not only retired once but twice and in fact went back to substitute teach. 

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 was a shining light on every path she encroached on.  She didn’t 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. Attending church she was quickly recognized by her hats and when she sang her head & hat would be bobbing back and forth to the beat which enhanced the spirit of those all around her. Her absence will leave a void in many hearts but knowing her life’s struggles are over brings such comfort that we can rejoice with her today. 

Pat was not merely an educator but a caring mentor to countless students and friends who found solace through her inspirational stories and heartfelt advice. It wasn’t uncommon for her to break out into an impromptu song or to show love by giving unique nicknames or offering the “hug of the day.” Beyond the confines of a classroom, she transformed into an enthusiastic cheerleader, attending extracurricular events both during her teaching tenure and long after her official retirement. Whether it was a sporting event or club sponsorship, her presence was a testament to the genuine love for students, family members, friends and their personal pursuits.  Pat never failed to celebrate those she held close with thoughtful cards for special occasions or birthdays, often including an extra dose of charm by adding stickers from her collection and every square of the card filled with her recognizable cursive, and heartfelt wishes.  

Her eccentric personality seamlessly intertwined with her distinctive fashion sense. A thrifty shopper, she found joy in unearthing treasures at Goodwill or S & M (Bargain Store as she still referred to it). On any given day, she could be found sporting flowy layers of linen or flax tops or jackets artfully tied with a knot, often accentuated by bargain jewelry, from one to five brooches and most certainly by a favorite hat. Maintaining a consistent approach to her appearance, she regarded her makeup as a crucial element, never being caught without artfully penciled brows and freshly applied lipstick, usually from her collection of Mary Kay Cosmetics she once represented as a Consultant. She was always gracious to ‘sell’ her products to close friends at a discount (which was actually her own cost). 

Pat was known as “The Cat Lady” to many. Anyone who was blessed to hear stories or see pictures of her cats knew that she loved them with her whole self.  From time to time, her cats would “sign” the cards or letters she’d send, and during her off hour, she would often call her answering machine to remind her cats that she loved them and would return home soon.   

Pat, needless to say, was an extraordinary woman who enriched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to call her teacher, mentor, relative or friend. She wove a legacy of laughter, learning, and a love for literature in the tapestry of, not only Grand Lake students, but in every life that crossed her path and will forever echo through the corridors of their hearts. 

She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Bobbie Fletcher McGaha, Linda Kelley, Ellen Walker, and David Wayne Fletcher. She is survived by a host of close friends, thousands of students on whom she left a mark, two nieces and a nephew, Donna Jones and friend Lupe Melvin of Rosenburg, TX;  Brenda Jones Prior of New Caney, TX ; Rufus “Butch” Jones of Brenham, TX; and the last of her well beloved five cats, Mabel. 

Her loved ones would like to thank Mona Edwards, her devoted Care Giver, the Staff of both Sage Oak Assisted Living and Amedysis Hospice Care of Lake Charles and to Dr. Mickey Woodward and the Staff of University Animal Clinic, where Mabel was graciously adopted as the ‘Clinic Cat’.  

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at Johnson Funeral Home on Lake Street in Lake Charles. Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM. Burial will be scheduled for a later date in Winnsboro, Louisiana.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, 7200 Desiard St., Monroe, LA 71203 or Hobo Hotel for Cats and Kittens in Lake Charles, La.