Patsy Butler

Alice Patricia Moore (Patsy to some, Sissy to others) was born on February 20, 1938 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The daughter of Inez Carter Moore and Horace Dudley Moore, Patsy was the second of three children. Sissy, as her family called her, had two siblings Eddie and Bob Moore.Sissy spent much of her childhood moving around the South, as her father often relocated for work. One of the places she called home was Oakridge Tennessee, in the now famous town which was constructed for The Manhattan Project. After several moves, Sissy settled in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she graduated from Istruma High School in 1956. After High School, Sissy went on to study nursing at Tulane University and Touro Nursing School in New Orleans, Louisiana. While working as a nurse, Patsy met some of her lifelong friends including Emilie Fern and Dot Hodson. Patsy had many stories of her adventures with Emily, Dot and other friends. The friend group worked, lived and traveled together, in what they could refer to as “the house of five nurses” in New Orleans. Many Mardi Gras parties were held here and Patsy told stories of those times often. Patsy remained friends with Emilie and Dot for more than 60 years, speaking with them often though they lived on the other side of the country.When Patsy was in her 20s, she had what she described as “Wanderlust” and her love of travel took hold. Patsy often relocated, taking jobs in various parts of the US including Washington, California and Maine. She traveled as she wished to see other parts of the country. She was a pioneer of “travel” nursing before it existed. In the late 1960s, Patsy returned to New Orleans, and began working for Wyandotte Chemicals as a staff nurse. It was here that she met a “Yankee” named John Butler. She and John married in 1966 and Patsy moved for one last time, to Michigan. She and John bought a home in Allen Park, the home she would live in for more than 50 years.John and Patsy had two children, daughters Dawn and Cindy. While raising her family, Patsy continued to work in nursing, spending several decades working at Wyandotte General Hospital. A devout Christian, Patsy was an active member in her church Trinity United Methodist for more than 40 years. Patsy and John would become grandparents to five grandchildren: Ryan, Natalie, Lana, Corinne and David. Patsy enjoyed being a Grandmother and was referred to and will be remembered as “Grammy” by her grandchildren. Patsy was a voracious reader, loved to decorate her home for the holidays and dreamed of travel often. Patsy was a terrible cook, but a good hostess and enjoyed having the women from church over to visit. Patsy never forgot people’s names but often mispronounced words, something her children teased her about regularly. Patsy is survived by her loving husband of nearly 60 years, John Butler, her daughters Dawn Butler-Hicks and Cindy Willey. As well as their spouses Bruce Hicks, Craig Willey and her five grandchildren. Patsy was deeply loved and will be missed by her friends and family. While her passing fills her family with sorrow, they celebrate the end to her suffering. Her family is comforted knowing that she is in heaven and reunited with many friends and family whom she loved. Patsy died peacefully at home, with family near her bedside on September 11, 2025.