Patty Adams Setser, 87, of Lexington, formerly of Van Lear, KY, passed away peacefully during her sleep on October 18, 2026, at The Willows at Fritz Farm. However, she’d want everyone to know that she’d been living independently in her own home, thank you very much, and was only at The Willows for rehabilitation services.

Born on September 13, 1939, in Maggard, KY, Patty was the beloved daughter of John “Shug” Adams and Verna Helton Adams Fairchild of Salyersville, KY. Throughout Patty’s life, she was known for her love of family, sarcastic sense of humor, thoughtfulness, intelligence, work ethic, and sheer determination.

A graduate of both Berea College and Morehead State University, Patty spent most of her 38-year career as a teacher at Johnson Central High School in Paintsville, KY, where she taught mostly English to hordes of students, whether they liked it or not. Biology, Chemistry, and German classes were also part of her repertoire, including her time teaching at Meade Memorial School and Oil Springs School. She started a career pounding on a pink manual typewriter with purple duplicate paper and ended it using the Internet and email.

Patty especially enjoyed reading and took weekly trips to the Johnson County Public Library where she - with her daughters - checked out paper bags full of books to read over the next seven days. Let’s just say that when one daughter eventually became a librarian, it wasn’t a shock. She also found great joy in her many cats over the years. Patty morphed from a woman who first refused to let ANY animal inside her house to someone who cherished her pets and donated to animal rescue. In fact, her cat, Noah, is still desperately waiting on her to return home. Don’t worry, though. Since she always feared Noah would outlive her, Patty ensured her cat would live a life of luxury with one of her daughters, spoiled with copious cans of Fancy Feast and delicious treats.

Family was also an important part of Patty’s life. She cherished her time with her daughters, granddaughters, sisters and lifelong friends, including her retired Lunch Bunch crew. Part of her legacy is how she instilled self-sufficiency and independence in her daughters, a process they didn’t always appreciate when young. Not only did Patty refuse to spell any words for them, but she also added to their misery by uttering the dreaded words, “Look it up.” When she became Nana, though, her attitude changed drastically. She was happy to be putty in their hands. No question too much. No gift unpurchased.

Patty is survived by her daughters Paula Setser-Kissick (Mitch) of Lexington, KY and Sheri Setser-Legg (Kevin) of Nicholasville, KY, her granddaughters, Zoe and Addie Legg, her sisters Brenda McCullough of Corvallis, OR, Linda Martin (Glenn) of Prescott, AZ, and Joan Yocum (Frank) of Nicholasville, KY. She was preceded in death by her parents and beloved sister Lou Clemons and brother-in-law, Dale.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 7, 2026, at Jones and Preston Funeral Home in Paintsville, KY. The family invites you to join them between 12:00-2:00 p.m. to visit and share memories of Patty. A short period of remarks and fun stories will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Johnson County Animal Services, Staffordsville, KY or the Johnson County Public Library, Paintsville, KY, if desired.

Though Patty is no longer with us, her love, humor, and memory will remain forever in the hearts of those who knew her.

Jones-Preston Funeral Home is both honored and privileged to be entrusted with all final arrangements for Ms. Patty Adams Setser.