After more than 40 years of suffering from chronic and debilitating illnesses, Patsye is in the arms of Jesus. Her journey on this earth came to a close when God called her home to be with him on Monday, April 12, 2021. A native of Cookevile, TN, formerly residing in Murfreesboro and Nashville, TN and a 38 year resident of Baton Rouge, La, she passed away at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge at the age of 74. Patsye earned numerous recognitions for her outward beauty (Miss Tennessee Tech 1968, Miss Rutherford County 1967, Miss Wool, and as a Jantzen Smile Girl in 1965.). However, it was her love of her family and friends that she will be most remembered. A doting Aunt and big Sister, she treasured every aspect of our lives and proudly expressed to everyone our most minute accomplishment. Her career as a world travel agent began in Nashville, TN and continued after she moved to Baton Rouge culminating in the opening of her own agency (Custom Travel Agency.) She was a skillful agent, dedicated to her clients and particularly enjoyed working with her client list of Olympic athletes. A proud devotee of all things Southern, she exemplified the graciousness and gentleness of her heritage. Patsye’s illnesses could easily have become the focus of her life these last 40 years, yet she managed each lightly, without complaint, never the victim. As one of her doctors described her “she played the cards she was dealt, with grace.” A graceful Southern lady until the end. Patsye is survived by her three sisters: Linda Spear (Garieth) Baton Rouge, LA; Janis Shelton (Skip) Jackson, TN; Susan Kelly (Bob) Gallatin, TN ; three nephews: Mathew Spear, Raleigh, NC; Wil Shelton, Jackson, TN; Robert Kelly, Gallatin, TN; three nieces: Melody Shelton White (Jimmy), Murfreesboro, TN; Maggie Dickerson (Brent) Christiana, TN; Meaghan Kelly, Memphis, TN; grandnieces Sophie and Chloe White, grandnephews James White and Liam Barrett, and cousins Bobbi “Sissie” Watkins, Daytona Beach, FL; and Kim Watkins Scott, FL. She is preceded in death by her mother Mary Opal Burchett Stanley Carmack, father Webster Charles Stanley; grandparents Ada and William Anburn Burchett. Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 27, 2:00 pm at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 8833 Goodwood Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA. Pallbearers will be Garieth L. Spear, Weldon J. Hill, II and Richard R. Setliff. Honorary pallbearers will be Mathew Spear, Wil Shelton and Robert Kelly. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled.” There will be a live stream through Greenoaks Facebook page during her service. Please visit www.greenoaksfunerals.com to leave condolences to the family.
