Patsy Roath

Patsy Jean Roath, 81, passed away peacefully following a lengthy battle with cancer in the early morning hours of Monday, April 15, 2024. She was born in Urania, Louisiana on September 4, 1942, the eldest child of Grace Callender Wilson and Thomas J. Wilson. Pat was a child of Christ, daughter, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, manager, and athlete with a keen competitive streak. Pat attended LaSalle High School where she was a star athlete. Pat married the love of her life, Arthur Otto Roath, on April 24, 1959, at the age of sixteen. She began her career in food service in the Rapides Parish School System, becoming an excellent baker of yeast rolls, cinnamon rolls, hamburger buns and biscuits. Pat relocated to Mansfield, Louisiana with her husband, Art, with the startup of the International Paper mill. In 1985 she became a shift manager at the McDonald's Restaurant in Mansfield, Louisiana; ultimately becoming the store manager in 1994. From 1994 until 2011, Pat managed McDonald's restaurants in Northwest Louisiana and East Texas. Pat was recognized by the McDonald's corporation many times for her managerial excellence including being awarded the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Outstanding Manager award. In 2009, Pat received the Ray Kroc Award recognizing the top performing McDonald's Restaurant Managers globally. Pat was one of 114 Restaurant Managers in the United States to receive the award. For a little perspective, there were about 11,000 McDonald's locations in the USA in 2009. Pat is survived by her three children: Ronald Arthur Roath (Cindy) of Sugarland, Texas; Donald Wayne Roath (Melanie) of Iron Mountain, Michigan; and Lora Jean Evans (John) of Grand Cane, Louisiana; her four grandchildren: Christopher Thomas Roath (Kate) of Kansas City, Missouri; Eric Donald Roath, PharmD MBA (Carolyn) of Lansing, Michigan; Chelsey Lynn Lillge (Mark) of Iron Mountain, Michigan; and Colton Michael Roath, M.D. (Ellie); her six great grandchildren: Ethan, Aleya, Alexander, Easton, Elaina and Penelope; her brother Allard Wilson (Francis) of Logansport, Louisiana; her nieces and nephews: Ciena Lynn Thompson (Greg), Ronald Michael Brazzell, Jr. (Kelli), Sheryl Ann McDaniel (Kevin), Sarah Lynell Cook, Toni Nation, Bryan Allard Wilson (Faith), Melissa Wilson, Wendy Ingles (Curt) and Lucas Calhoun; along with her great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Grace and Thomas Wilson, husband Arthur Otto Roath, sisters and brothers-in-law: Tommie Ciena and Ronald Michael Brazzell, Sr.; and Sarah Dale and George Nation. Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, Louisiana followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m., also at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath. Interment will be at 2:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Cemetery in Shreveport, Louisiana. Pat and her siblings were reared in a setting of a close extended family and reared their own children in a similar manner resulting in the cousins being more like siblings and continuing very close relationships throughout their lives. The family recognizes Pat's passing is much like the loss of another mother for their cousins and know they share the loss they feel. The pallbearers are Lucas Calhoun, Jeremy Evans, Tyler Evans, Kevin McDaniel, Gregory Thompson and Bryan Allard Wilson. The family extends their appreciation to St. Joseph Hospice of Shreveport, Louisiana for their excellent care of Pat during her cancer illness. We particularly want to recognize her nurse Renee from St. Joseph as she was extremely kind to Pat developing a relationship of love, respect and trust between them. Finally, the family appreciates the love and care provided to Pat by Timmy Childress at the Mansfield Nursing Center who was very kind to Pat during her stay in the nursing center. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages folks to donate to St. Jude’s Hospital, the American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.