Patsy R. Lyle

Patsy Nell Rushworth “Pat” Lyle passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2024.  She was 89. Pat was born in Baton Rouge, LA. A 1956 graduate of Louisiana State University with a BS in business, Pat played an integral role for 14 years in the business her father had founded, Craft Rushworth, LTD, which became LCR Corporation and later LCR-M Corporation, first in Lake Charles, LA, and later in Baton Rouge, LA.

Pat will be remembered for many things. She answered the phone at any time of the day or night and went anywhere she was needed. She was as comfortable and present celebrating your most joyous occasion as she was sitting with you and sharing your most painful grief. She was a fixture in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, delighting in being “Granny” to them all.

Pat's faith was a cornerstone in her life. In 1986, after a nine-year process, she was among the first women to be ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Church in Louisiana. Her ministries were a testament to her compassion and dedication, focusing on the aging, those in transition or grief, and those facing death and dying. Pat's spiritual guidance was a source of comfort to many over the years, and she later served as Spiritual Director in Residence at St. James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge. She served on the staff of many Cursillo weekends, as well as six Kairos weekends at the LA Correctional Institute for Women. The First Presbyterian Church and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Lake Charles, and St. James Episcopal Church and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge were all treasured homes during her spiritual journey.

Pat is survived by her sisters-in-law Betty Joan Rushworth, Jennifer Netterville, and Margaret Ware, her daughter Donna DiChiara (Benny), her son Kevin Lyle (Renee Chatelain), her grandchildren Tiffany Taulbee (Chris), Garrett Schram (Megan), Ryan Lyle (Walker Toma), Rachel Lyle (Patrick Okula), Brandye Hughes (Vance), Benny DiChiara (April), her great-grandchildren, Cohen, Carter, Mae, Major, Garrison, Arlo, Warren, Leon, Kalin, Vance III, Sophia, and Tag, along with her much-beloved nieces and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, John D. “Don” Lyle, her father, Locksley Clyde Rushworth, her mother, Nellie Elizabeth McFarland Rushworth, and her brother, Locksley Clyde Rushworth, Jr.

The family is deeply grateful for the exceptional care provided by Pat's personal caregivers, Carla Brown, LaNell Vital, Pat Tate, and Carrie Haynes. Their love, compassion and dedication were apparent every day in all facets of their care. The family also extends their heartfelt thanks to Alicia Johnson and the entire staff of The Hospice of Baton Rouge, whose compassion and dedication were a source of comfort during a difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to one of the following entities important to Pat:  St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, the We Care Ministry at St. James Episcopal Church, the Solomon Episcopal Conference Center, or The Hospice of Baton Rouge.

Funeral services will be held at Noon on May 29, 2024, at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 12663 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810.  Visitation will be from 10 AM until Noon. A reception will follow the service at the church.