Patricia Burton, lovingly known as Patti, passed away on October 18, 2026, at the age of 63. Born in Louisiana on December 21, 1962, Patti leaves behind a family who will forever carry her laughter, her strength, her unmistakable sense of humor, and a lifetime of memories that could never be captured in a single obituary.
If you knew Patti, you knew there was nobody quite like her. She was the strongest woman I have ever known, the person you went to when you needed advice, and the person who would lovingly tell you to “man up” if she thought you were being too sensitive. She had a sense of humor like no other, and her laughter could echo for miles. She might have told you she wasn’t a people person, but somehow, everywhere she went, people loved her. She was a favorite everywhere she worked, and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her could tell you exactly why. How could you not love her?
But above all else, Patti loved her family. Nothing in this world made her happier than being a Nana. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and being their Nana was a role she treasured more than words could ever express. She loved the holidays more than just about anything, filling those special times with the kind of personality, laughter, and memories that make a family what it is. And Halloween? Well, Halloween was in a category all its own.
Patti genuinely believed, deep down in her soul, that she was a witch. We aren’t entirely sure what evidence she had to support this theory, but anyone who knew her probably wouldn’t have argued too hard. Between her personality, her love of Halloween, and whatever mysterious powers she may or may not have possessed, it was probably best not to question her. Besides, if there really is a little magic in this world, we have a feeling Patti knew more about it than she ever let on.
She also had very particular tastes, especially when it came to music and cigarettes. Her favorite song was “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult, and she made sure her children, Amber and Joey, heard it plenty of times. She had a way of making her favorite things everybody else’s favorite things, whether they wanted to admit it or not.
And then there were the cigarettes. For years, Patti insisted on buying Lucky Strike cigarettes because cigarettes were too expensive. Although she had spent years smoking Misty Light 120s. Apparently, financial responsibility had its limits. But we like to think that now she’s in Heaven, she’s finally got the budget she always wanted. She can smoke all the Misty Light 120s her heart desires, without having to settle for Lucky Strikes. After all, Heaven’s streets are paved with gold, so surely somebody up there can help a girl out.
Patti also held a special place in her heart for her daughter’s art. One of her favorite things to do was talk to Amber while she painted, watching the process unfold and waiting for the finished masterpiece. Without fail, she’d eventually look at the painting and ask, “Wait a minute, you were painting the whole time you were talking to me. How did you finish that so quickly?!” It was one of those little moments that might have seemed ordinary at the time, but will now be treasured forever. Every painting will carry a little piece of those conversations, and every finished canvas will be another reminder of a mother who loved being part of her daughter’s world.
Another relationship Patti held close to her heart, was the bond she shared with her son, Joey. It was something truly special. She loved that boy more than anything in this world, and she was endlessly proud of the man he became. The two of them shared a connection that was unlike anything else, a bond that didn’t need explaining because anyone who saw them together could feel it. Even as an adult, she wanted to put a tracking device on him. Joey was the lucky one who got to share a home with his mama, to spend those everyday moments with her that others might take for granted, and to have more time beside her than most could ever wish for. He got to experience the little things, the conversations, the laughter, and the comfort of having her right there. And while no amount of time could ever be enough, he got to spend a lifetime loving her up close. Their bond was one of a kind, and no matter where life takes him from here, he will always carry his mama with him. She was so proud of him, she loved him beyond measure, and if there is one thing we know for certain, it is that being his mama was one of the greatest loves of her life.
Patti believed in God, and there is comfort in knowing that she has gone home to Him. We imagine her reunion with her beloved sister Deb, who was not only her sister but her very best friend. We imagine her finally getting to hold her mother, Iona, again, whom she lost when she was just four years old. There is something beautiful about imagining a little girl who grew up without her mother getting to find her again. After all she endured in this life, we hope she is surrounded by the love she missed, the family she longed to see, and the peace she deserves.
Patti is survived by her son, Joey; her daughter, Amber; her five grandchildren, Asher, Dani, Eloise, Alanea, and Saylem; her son-in-law, Trevor; her father, Gerald; her brothers, Jason and Alan; her niece, Brittany; and Oliver, her beloved dog-in-law, who somehow annoyingly made the family list and is clearly important enough to stay there.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Iona, her sister, Deb and her stepmother, Jimmy.
There will be no funeral service or visitation. Patti will be cremated, and her ashes will be divided between Joey and Amber. Because even in death, Patti apparently couldn’t leave her children without one last thing to split between them. We suspect she would find the whole arrangement pretty funny, and we can practically hear her laughing about it.
Patti’s life was full of the things that matter most: family, laughter, love, music, holidays, and the freedom to be unapologetically herself. She wasn’t a perfect person, and she never needed to pretend to be one. She was real, she was funny, she was strong, and she was unforgettable.
The world is a little quieter without her laughter. Halloween won’t quite feel the same. The holidays will carry an emptiness that no amount of decorating can fill. And there will always be moments when her children and grandchildren wish they could pick up the phone, hear her voice, or tell her one more thing.
But Patti’s story doesn’t end here. She lives on in the people she raised, the grandchildren she adored, the memories she created, the paintings she watched come to life, and the laughter her family will continue to share when they remember her.
So don’t be afraid of the Reaper, Patti. Go find your sister. Go hug your mama. Tell Heaven’s gatekeeper a joke or two. And please, for the love of all things holy, enjoy those Misty Light 120s.
You were loved here. You are missed here. And you will never, ever be forgotten. We LOVE YOU, Mama!!
