Pat Linton

Pat Linton, born Minnie Mae Pickett, 83 years old, treasured mother to Janet, Laura, Steve and Beth died peacefully Saturday June 4, 2016 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Pat was a tireless community leader in Vestavia Hills for many years culminating in the Lifetime Achievement Award for Citizens of Vestavia Hills in 2007. Pat was a cherished mother to her four children, leader in the community of Vestavia Hills, a spirited storyteller, a fabulous cook, and an advocate for progress.

She and her husband Pat settled in the newly incorporated town of Vestavia Hills in 1960 and was a resident for almost 60 years. Pat was deeply involved in the UAB community along with her husband, Dr. Pat Linton, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry for many years before her husband’s death in 1989.

Look around and you will see Pat’s fingerprints all over the community. Pat served 22 years on the Vestavia Hills Beautification Board, with 12 of those as Chairman. During her tenure, the board started the Dogwood Festival’s tour of homes and oversaw judging four times a year. She was a member of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, led as Woman’s Missionary Union president, and served with the Golden Mountaineers, the senior-citizen group.

She helped raise money for the Vestavia Hills Library, which grew out of service with the Friends of the Library. She served as president of the Vestavia Hills Historical Society and the Senior Citizen’s Board.

For years, she volunteered at University Hospital in the day-of-surgery waiting room. Patsy’s service with the Jefferson County Medical Auxiliary spanned decades, including working at a mental health clinic concerning women’s issues. She organized a seminar about women and their worries, hosted at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church. For 20 years, through the Children’s Service League, she served as a Girl Scout co-leader for a troop of autistic and schizophrenic girls, students at the Allan Cott School. Patsy was also president of the Faculty Women at UAB and an officer of the Alabama Symphony Women’s Auxiliary. Her involvement with the Ballet Women’s Committee led her to chair that organization’s Poinsettia Debutante Ball. In 1989, the Montclair Garden Club nominated her for the Vestavia Hills Citizen of the Year Award and she received the award with the support of her husband, who died later that year.

Pat was born in Belle Ellen, Alabama, the daughter of Mildred Annie (Sumner) Pickett and Jesse Aaron Pickett. Her beloved sisters Sue Pickett Hyde and Ann Pickett Butry, along with Pat, grew up in Belle Ellen.

Pat is survived by her daughters Dr. Janet Linton of Fairhope, Laura Chapman of Gulf Shores and Beth Linton of Birmingham/Atlanta and son Steve Linton of Birmingham along with son-in-law John Chapman and daughter-in-law Katherine Strong. Her cherished grandchildren Patrick Chapman (Katie), Kathryn Wright, Linton Wright and Rebecca Chapman and great-grandchildren Adler and Weller Chapman were lights of her life.

There will be a Celebration of Pat's life on Tuesday June 7th, 2016 at 1:00pm with visitation starting one hour prior at Southern Heritage Funeral Home. There will also be a reception immediately following at Vestavia Country Club.