Patsy Ruth Husk

June 21, 1940 – March 27, 2026

In the care of

Evergreen Funeral Home & Cemetery

Patsy Ruth Husk, 85, of Louisville, Kentucky passed away on March 27, 2026 @ 1:37PM. Patsy was a fierce advocate when it came to her children – hard working and devoted.

Patsy Ruth (Sallee) Husk was born on June 21, 1940, in Chaplin, Kentucky to Hubert Sallee and Opha Blacketer Sallee. Her parents were very young when they married – Hubert being 19 and Opha 14. Twelve children made for a hard life. Birthdays were just a number. No money for things like makeup. If it was cheap, that was “her fashion”. When once asked about her childhood, she remarked, “What Childhood? After the delivery, I had to hit the ground running (9th child of the twelve)”. She described herself as a fighter (because she had to be to survive) but peaceful. She did not remember ever asking anyone for advice – she just had to figure it out for herself. Sassy – Feisty – and Funny. She persevered and LOVED life with a joy and sense of humor that delighted those around her. She had to grow up quickly – leaving school to work at Miller’s Cafeteria at age 16 – but later earned her GED.

She met her late husband of 52 years, Charles Robert Husk, on a blind date set up by a friend, Boddy Kaiser. They married when Patsy was 21, with their mothers by their side (Opha and Wilma). When asked what was the best gift she ever received, her response was “Charles – he wasn’t perfect but he was such a good man”.

Her advice on marriage: Don’t give up. Marriage is work. Marry someone you intend to spend the rest of your life with. Cooperate with each other – you can’t always have it your own way.

She stopped working at Central Overall/Uniform after the birth of her first child. She returned to work at JCPS (lunchroom) when her last child started school – and retired from there.

Patsy enjoyed taking trips with Charles, especially family vacations – with Myrtle Beach being a favorite. She would take bus tours with her sister, Bobby. Meals out with Betty Cline and the “Alumni” were so much fun. She had great neighborhood friends – Joyce Taylor, Faye Hayden, Margaret Fulton and Betty Cline. When the kids were young, she & her friend Sharon Haven would load them all up and head to the pool. She even became friends with the parents of her children’s friends – Virginia Culpepper was one of them. Her best buddy was Fontella Longworth. They met when mom was talking to a couple of guys and she asked them if they “dared her to talk to her” – mom introduced herself and the rest was history – they became lifelong friends beginning at the age of 15.

Patsy enjoyed adult education classes – which included Ceramic Painting, Interior Decorating and Line Dancing. She loved to dance and a story circulated about her dancing on a table when she was young!

Patsy was a member of Southeast Christian Church until her health kept her at home. Her son, Barry, would then hold Bible Studies at home with her. Patsy was not a very political person – she believed God is in Control. Her description of a life well lived was to be kind & loving to the people around you. Be grateful to God each day for all His great gifts.

If Patsy were granted a wish to come true – it would be to have good health return – AND to get to see her mom again. Some of her favorite things: colors of blue and green / pink & red roses / coffee with lots of sugar / bowling / Spring / the game Kismet / plain Hershey Bars and Butterfingers / Chocolate pie with whipped cream on top.

Patsy’s words on having kids: Give yourself a lot of Grace. You’re not going to get it right. Nobody does.

Another favorite piece of her advice: Do what you have to do to survive – just don’t break the law while you’re doing it.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents: Hubert Sallee and Opha Sallee; her husband, Charles Robert Husk; her siblings, Ray Sallee, Hazel Sallee Manning, Hubert Cleveland Sallee (aka George), Pauline Sallee Morris, MaryLou Sallee Diemer, and James (aka Cleo) Sallee (along with a firstborn & Wanda’s twin who passed at birth).

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Kimberly Sexton Quintela, Charlene Ruth Cain, Charles Daryl Husk (Darla), and Barry Robert Husk (Sholonda); her siblings, Bobby Sallee Jones (aka Robbie), Walter Sallee (Sarah) and Wanda Sallee Murphy (Bill); grandchildren, William Reese Sexton, McKenzie Elaine Sexton Cassidy (Jared), Cole Santiago Quintela, Makayla Quintela, Alex Quintela, Amber Renee Cain, Myles Husk, Shane Whittemore (Crystal), and Jennifer Cates (Chris); and great-grandchildren, Noah June Cassidy, Jameson Thomas Lee Cassidy, Vayda Lynn Dean-Cassidy, Malakai Mitchell, Daniel Legg, Cody Beng, Madison Whittemore, and Lily Whittemore.

Visitation will be held on April 1, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Evergreen Funeral Home, 4623 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY 40213.

A Funeral Service will be held on April 2, 2026, from 11:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. at Evergreen Funeral Home, 4623 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY 40213.