Mildred Patricia Cone Moore, affectionally known as “Patsy” and known to many as “Pine Cone” or “Piddy Pat”, passed away peacefully on July 1st at the age of 66. Patsy was born on January 22, 1953 in Birmingham, Alabama to Mildred Payne and William E. “Bill” Cone, Sr., both of whom preceded her in death. She attended Mountain Brook schools and upon graduation from high school, attended Stratford College for girls in Virginia before transferring to her beloved Auburn University where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi social sorority. She graduated from Auburn with degrees in Special Education and enjoyed teaching for 31 years in various cities across Alabama. She adored the children she taught and was active in Special Olympics for many years. She grew up loving horses and was an avid equestrian and competitive show jumper from an early age through her college years. She loved ‘kitty cats’ and opened her home and heart to favorites Callie, Mitzi and Millie. She inherited a love of travel from her parents and visited and explored many fascinating places during her lifetime. As we all know, Patsy had an infectious personality and as such, enjoyed being with people and making them happy through her gift of gab, playing pranks, cooking special treats, sending flowers or finding a special “just for you” gift. Perhaps her greatest love was for her Auburn Tigers and she spent every opportunity she had at the ‘loveliest village on the plains’ attending football games and enjoying the special camaraderie of tailgating with the Auburn Nation. The trip of her lifetime was to Pasadena, CA to attend the 2014 National Championship game, Auburn/FSU, with best friends DiAnne Beard and Lee and Glendinning Johnston. Orange and blue skies will forever remind us of Patsy’s presence. War Eagle and God Bless Patsy! Patsy was a member of the Highlands United Methodist Church and the Marvin Williams Sunday School Class. She was preceded in death by her parents; her maternal grandparents Dora Chadbourne Knowles and James Arch Payne, Sr.; and her paternal grandparents Louise Schaefer Cone, a well recognized Southern artist, and James Hamilton Cone, an opera singer with the NY Metropolitan Opera. She is survived by her long time friend and caregiver, DiAnne Beard; her brother William E. “Bill” Cone, Jr. and his wife Sandy; nephews Adam (Erica) Cone and Jeff (Cassie) Fairley; great nieces and nephews Mary Cate and Walker Cone and Keegan and Kyra Fairley; numerous special 1st, 2nd and 3rd cousins and many friends. A celebration of Patsy’s life will be held on Monday, July 8th at 11:00 AM, with visitation at 10:00 AM, in the Chapel of Ridout’s Valley Chapel Homewood with the Reverend Emily Penfield officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, WTI 210, 1720 2nd Avenue South, B’ham, 35294-3300 or to the Highlands United Methodist Church, 1045 20th Street South, B’ham, 35205.
