Mrs. Patricia Mathews

Patricia Ann Speights Mathews was called to eternal rest on January 7, 2021 at her home in Dumfries, Virginia. Patricia, born on January 6, 1957 was the daughter of the late Heyward Speights and Dorothy Speights. At an early age she became a member of Mount Beulah United Methodist Church. She later became a member at First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries, VA. She enjoyed attending church, raising her children and always putting God first.

She attended Florence County Public Schools and in 1973 graduated from Lake City High School. She continued her educational studies at Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC. She graduated in 1977 with a B.A. in English. Patricia received her MAED Degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ in 2006.

While attending Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, she became a member of Mu chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She was also a charter member of Iota Xi Zeta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Lake City, SC. She later settled in Dumfries, VA and joined the Grad chapter of Phi Kappa Zeta Sorority in Woodbridge, VA.

She began her professional career in education in the schools of Lake City, SC. Patricia went on to teach at Williamsburg High School in Salters, SC; Bradwell Institute High School, Hinesville, GA; Central Texas College, Ft. Lewis Washington; General H.H. Arnold High School, Wiesbaden, Germany; Los Lunas High School, Los Lunas, NM and Potomac Senior High School, Dumfries, VA where she served as the Chairperson of the English Department for 12 years. Patricia was passionate about teaching and dedicated to making sure that each and every one of her students achieved at the highest level possible.

Patricia was blessed with four children and six grandchildren. She spent the remaining of her life caring and loving her family. She made sure that all her children and grandchildren were loved. She often said to them “I want each of you to remember to love yourself and family members. Love will help you get through the tough times and make the good times better.”

She leaves to cherish her loving memories three sons, Trayon DeCarlo Mathews of Sliver Spring, MD, Renaldo Ray (Shemeika) Mathews of Stafford, VA, and Brice Moses (China) Mathews, of Clarksville, TN; one daughter, Briona Caroline Mathews of Dumfries, VA; six grandchildren Mikhayla, Jackson, Maya, Justice, Aeri and Nicolas Fury; two sisters, Azalee Washington of Lake City, SC, and Audrey(Matthew) Gamble of Fort Wayne, IN; two brothers, Theodore(Barbra) Speights of Columbia, SC, and Lewis(Kathy) Speights of Lake City, SC; eight devoted nieces, Aisha, LaTanya, Sharolyn, Brittiny, Patrice, Sanquetta, Jasmine, and Jessica; five devoted nephews DaMond, Brandon, Rafael, Nicholas and Christopher; one aunt, Mattie Ruth Frierson of Teaneck, NJ; two uncles, David Blain of Westwood, NJ, Rev. Matthew Brown of Lake City SC, and a host of relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her brother Edmund Speights and her sister Delorise S. Singletary.