Patsie Claire Northcutt Potts' Obituary
After a long life filled with love, family, friends and knowing how to do the right thing, Patsie Potts passed away on April 28, 2025, at 97. She leaves behind a large, loving family who will treasure their memories of time spent with her and the life lessons she taught them along the way.
She was a refined and dignified lady who was always poised and respectful, even in times of duress, and routinely put the needs of others before her own. She was charming and gracious but had a mischievous side and enjoyed surprising people with unexpected facts like that she was an expert marksman. She was perhaps happiest when she was entertaining her family, ensuring that there was plenty of lively conversation with good food on fine china because her family deserved the best.
Patsie and her husband, William (Bill) Gano Potts, lived and raised their family in Dallas. They were married for 42 years before his passing in 1992 and had four daughters: Martha, Trish, Liz and Nancy along with 10 beloved grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
Patsie was born on November 26, 1927, in Amarillo, Texas to esteemed circuit court judge Ernest O. and Gladys C. Northcutt and had two brothers, Ernest O. (Ernie) Northcutt and Terry C. Northcutt. An important milestone in her life happened as a young girl when her mother died, and she was expected to become the caretaker of the home. A close family friend moved in and taught Patsie how to cook, sew and run the household, until her father married Corinne Peters Northcutt who lovingly nurtured and raised her into the beautiful soul she became. All of this established her life-long devotion to taking care of family. The experience taught Patsie a lesson she kept close to her heart -- maintain grace and composure no matter how many challenges arise or get in the way.
Patsie attended Amarillo High School 1942-1946 and although she amassed many academic accolades, she was mostly proud of the fact that she was highly successful as the sole female member on the ROTC shooting squad. After attending Lindenwood College for Women in Memphis in 1946, Patsie transferred to SMU where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, edited the campus newspaper, was elected to Mortar Board and was a member of Alpha Kappa Delta Honor Society. Patsie taught riflery as a Cheley Colorado Camp counselor where she also spent summers as a child. Although the two had met as small children (their grandmothers were close dear friends), Patsie and Bill reunited while at SMU and in 1950, they graduated and married.
She operated by a code formed by her upbringing and deep-rooted traditions. She took pride in assuming the role of a matriarch reaching far beyond her immediate family. Yet she took delight in what was called her “scofflaw” moments when she let her mischievous side show. One grandson recalls going with her to a holiday ice display only to turn around and find his 77-year-old grandmother on a slide made of ice hurling down wearing a skirt with a cheshire grin on her face!
Patsie presided over weekend gatherings at the family farm on the outskirts of Dallas and later at Lake Texoma, usually with extended family and friends in tow. She had a true passion for extensive travel that spanned far beyond the United States with the Holy Land being one of her favorites.
Patsie enjoyed history and preservation and took great pride in being part of the Northcutt, Scurry, Gano and Potts clans. Her community activities followed her interest in preservation, as she served on the board of the Dallas County Heritage Society, was president of the DCHS Guild and a docent at Old City Park, now called Dallas Heritage Village. She was also on the board of the Dallas Civic Opera in its formative years. Patsie was active with the Dallas Woman’s Club, Junior League of Dallas, President of Dallas Shakespeare Club, Standard Club, Dallas Garden Club and Junior League Garden Club.
Although there are many in her tribe, Patsie’s immediate family includes: Martha and her husband Lester C. Shipley and their sons Jonathan and Matthew; Patricia (dec’d 2024) and her husband Thomas H. Aldredge and children Will, Adrienne and Marshall; Elizabeth and her husband Graham C. Tutt (dec’d 2022) and her sons Billy and Taylor; Nancy and her husband Kenneth W. Luce and their sons Thomas, Robert and Andrew.
A memorial service celebrating Patsie’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Cox Chapel at Highland Park United Methodist Church with a reception immediately following, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75205.
She will be laid to rest in a private ceremony the day before alongside her beloved Billy at Restland Memorial Park & Cemetery Garden of Psalms, 13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75243.
The family wishes to express their deep appreciation and respect to Patsie’s devoted caregiver Felicia Staples for her love, companionship and excellent care for their mother. Donations may be made in honor of Patsie Potts to the Old City Park Conservancy, https://oldcityparkconservancy.org.
Those wishing to send flowers for the service may do so by contacting Rembrandt Florist by Restland at (972) 761-8989. Independent florists are kindly asked to deliver flowers directly to Restland Funeral Home by 4:00 PM on Thursday, May 15, 2025, to ensure they are properly transported by the Restland Funeral Home to Highland Park United Methodist Church for the service on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home.
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