Patricia Jeanette Butler-Douglas

Theodore and Beulah's third child, born on June 11, 1941 in Denver, Colorado, was a beautiful plump cheeked girl, mostly resembling the Adams’ branch of the family. She had large curls which when the fashion was to wear the big natural, she had one that put the famous Angela Davis to shame.

Her mother, always an activist, organized a drill team which Patricia named the Es-cool-lites. Cool because Patricia wanted them to be cool. The group was quite successful traveling all over the country winning trophies for their extraordinary cadences. She continued her love of dancing and being out front as she appeared on TV dancing with her friends on Denver Band Stand as often as possible. Later she became an actress appearing in local theaters.

Pat attended Colorado State College getting her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. After graduating, she married her high school sweetheart in 1962. She was 21 years old. It was a beautiful summer day in June. However, before the ceremony was over, it snowed.

While married to Orville Springs, they frequented coffee houses writing and reciting their creative poetry. Their best creation, by far, was Penn Michael Springs and at that time he was the baby of the family, a target for the other grand kids because he was adored by his grandparents. She spent a few years after graduating teaching migrant workers in La Junta, Colorado.

Ever the one to be on an adventure, the independent Pat headed out with her son, Penn, for a short stint in Europe attending classes in Spain. She later attended the University of Colorado in Boulder where she earned her Master's Degree in Spanish with a minor in French. When she returned, she packed up her Volkswagen and with a girlfriend headed for Las Vegas. She was hired by the Clark Community College of Southern Nevada as a Spanish teacher. She later was promoted Director of Financial Aid. There she met Jimmie Butler working on contract at the college. They married and she became the mother of his four year-old son affectionately called Tooie, even though he prefers to be called Jim. Pat and Jimmie were married for 24 years and during this time he was her greatest support toward getting her Doctorate of Education. Jim used to say we have a doctorate. Later she became Administrator of Student Affairs.

Some years after Jimmie became quite ill; Pat took a sabbatical to care for him. During her time away from the college they travelled to Georgia to visit her sister, Loretta. Although the family had attended the African Methodist Episcopal Church for close to a hundred years, she was looking for another type of church home. While visiting in Georgia, Pat attended Hillside Church of Religious Science where Reverend Doctor Barbara King, the author of Transform Your Life, was starting her sermon and stopped to say she was changing her focus because someone there needed to hear a different message. The subject appeared to be tailored to Pat and her longing for a philosophy she could follow. Upon her return to Las Vegas, Jimmie died and Pat immersed herself into Religious Science becoming a practitioner and a teacher. She is best remembered for her loving hugs for everyone and standing at the door of the prayer room patiently waiting to offer comfort to anyone needing prayer.

Pat was full of energy and always on the go. She met Steve Douglas in one of the classes she co-taught with Reverend Doug and Fran Peterson. A few years later they married.

She celebrated her 75th birthday dancing and enjoying the love and friendships she had within this church. On August 6, 2016 she danced and rejoiced at her niece’s wedding in Georgia only to return for a short illness making her transition on September 23rd. Her sister, son and husband were at her bedside.

She is so loved by all of her family. She was caring and generous. She was a devoted wife, a mother, a grandmother, great grand aunt, a sister, a painter, actress, a world traveler, and most of all a faithful practitioner for this church. She will be truly missed by all.

She is survived by her husband, Stephen Douglas; her sister, Loretta Fearonce; her brother, Clayton Adams; his wife, Johnene Adams; sister-in-law Marion Adams; her son Penn Michael Springs; her son Jimmie Butler and his wife, Michelle Butler; and grandson Michael Springs. She has numerous nieces, and nephews who shall also miss her.