Patti Jane Strother of Coushatta, Louisiana, was born July 31, 1936, and passed away May 3, 2022.
A Celebration of her life was led by Reverend Stuart Sherman will be at First United Methodist Church in Coushatta at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2022. Visitation was from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. before the service. Burial will be at Springville Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home.
Patti was preceded in death by her parents, William ‘Pat’ Strother and Rusha Strother; Sister, Laurine Adcock and husband, Tom; Brother-in-Law, Don Lester; Nephew John Coghill and beloved Godson, David Lester.
She is survived by her sisters: Norma Lester, Susan Taylor and husband Joe; and all of the nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great nieces and nephews whom she showered with love and affection.
Pallbearers are Charles Adcock, Aaron Cannon, David Smelley, Taylor Lee, Tanner Lee, Ethan Squires, David Beard, Jason Adcock, Ardis Almond, and David Coffey.
Honorary Pallbearers are Steve Adcock, Doyle Bell, Dusty Clayborn, John Charles Savage, Robert Ray Taylor, and Jim Bethard.
Patti was born in a log house on her Papaw Savage’s farm at Tiger Bend in Union Parish. Her infectious smile and giving spirit were nurtured in the close family surrounding her. She cherished being a part of a large, close-knit, extended family.
Patti Jane, as she was called by her closest family and childhood friends, moved to Coushatta in 1940 with her family. She loved being a member of the First Methodist Church youth and choir. She graduated from Coushatta High School and received her B.S. in Home Economics in 1958. She completed her Dietetics master’s degree/internship in 1959 at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri.
Miss Patti was the name used by all those who worked with her in her professional capacity. She began her career in hospital Dietetics at Barnes Hospital and then at Central-Pineville Hospital in Alexandria. She soon returned to Ruston to be the Head of Dietetics for Lincoln General Hospital. Returning to Ruston allowed her to indulge in one of her favorite pastimes, following the sporting teams of LA TECH. Patti was a charter member of the Lady Techsters Tip-off Club. She held season tickets for Football and loved to watch Baseball. She hosted large Homecoming gatherings each year and followed the Lady Techsters to away games and championships.
Patti took her civic and church duties to heart as well. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. She sang in the choir, served on the Board, and directed the church kitchen for many years. She was also a 53-year member of DAR. She joined the DAR in the Long Leaf Pine chapter. She later moved her membership to the New Iberia chapter, serving as Chapter Regent and Chapter Recording Secretary during her years of membership.
Aunt Patti was the name given to her by her numerous nieces and nephews. So many others who were added to the family by love also called her that. She opened her home to many who attended Louisiana Tech and needed a place to live. She welcomed family from Union Parish, Coushatta, and all over the state. She hosted summer camp sleepovers for nieces and their cheerleader/yearbook groups attending camps. She bought clothes for all her “children,” saved dimes to pay for hospital bills, and loved being the Aunt who could mother all around her. She was an accomplished seamstress and made the wedding dresses for several weddings as well as beautiful crochet and handwork.
Miss Strother is the name used by all of the students taught by her. After nearly 30 years in food service, she retired and moved home to Coushatta. Retirement did not last for long, and she found her second career in teaching at Coushatta Elementary. She loved her students in Special Education and later in First grade as if they were her own. Her greatest joy was working with students and teaching them to read.
By far, her favorite name was Poppie. All of her great-nieces and nephews and her great-greats lovingly used this name. This group consisted of relatives and the multitude of children whom she showered with love. She could pat a baby to sleep in record time, fix the best cinnamon toast, help finish homework, and stock the fridge with everything the Swann’s man could bring. She drove the morning school runs and followed all of her babies in their athletic and academic pursuits. She was THE BEST baker of Red Cake and loved to make birthday and special occasion cakes for all who asked. Her legacy is seen in all of the children she “mothered.”
The family would like to thank Dr. Carter and the staff at Christus Coushatta. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church of Coushatta or Red River Parish School Board for Back to School Supplies.
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