Patricia Ann Toney Speights was born on June 18, 1944 in Birmingham, Alabama to Willie Frank Toney, Sr. and Eliza Jane McCracken Toney.

Patricia attended Shields Elementary School and graduated from Ullman High School in 1961 at the age of sixteen. She attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee where she was initiated into the Alpha Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated in the Spring of 1963.

In 1965, Patricia graduated from Tennessee State University with a degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduation, she continued to pursue higher education.

In 1973, she earned a Master of Elementary Education Degree from the University of Montevallo. Patricia, the persistent educator and student, went on to earn an Advanced Study in Elementary Education Certificate Class A from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1974 and in 1976 she earned an Advanced Study in Elementary Education Certificate Class AA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham as well. In 1991, she earned K-6 Principalship Certificate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 1992, she earned an Educational Administrator Leadership Certificate from Samford University. Finally in 1997, Patricia earned an Educational Specialist/Administrator degree from Samford University.

Patricia began her career as a lifelong educator in 1965 teaching at Fall Elementary in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1966, she moved back home to Birmingham, AL and started her career in the Jefferson County School System by teaching 5th grade at Brighton Jr High School. In 1968, she moved on to Hillview Elementary and taught 5th and 6th grade for several years. In 1995, she became the Assistant Principal of Pleasant Grove Elementary. Soon thereafter, Patricia made herstory by becoming the first Black female Principal of Hillview Elementary in 1998! After a fulfilling 35 year career, she retired from the Jefferson County School System in July of 2001. In August of 2001, she began her final phase of her professional career as an Assistant Professor of Education at Miles College, where she continued to train and prepare the next generation of teachers.

Patricia was a dedicated member of the Cathedral of Saint Paul where she served as a lector for Mass. Also, she was a member and past president of the Saint Claire Sodality Altar Guild prayer group and she was a member of the choir.

Patricia Ann Toney Speights was a faithful member and Past President of the Birmingham Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Incorporated. She served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Delta Inc., Chair of the Southern Regional Nominating Committee and Chair of the April Hostess group. For several years, Patricia was the top ticket seller of the Ebony Fashion Fair Fashion Show which  was a signature fundraising event for the Chapter. She was a fashionable, fun and fearless Delta Dear and Golden Life member of her beloved sorority.  Patricia was honored with the Fortitude Award given by the Birmingham Alumnae Chapter. It is the highest and most prestigious award given to deserving sorors of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Patricia is preceded in death by her parents, brother Willie Frank Toney, Jr. and sister Neysa Toney Edwards. She leaves to cherish her memories, her only daughter Dr. Andrea Nicole Speights Palmer (Eddie), one granddaughter, Angel Nicole Palmer, brother in love, Mr. Frank Lewis and his son Michael, several nephews, great -nieces, great-nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

Patricia loved to travel, loved her family and the time spent with friends and Sorors. She enjoyed eating ice cream and a good cup of coffee any time of day. Teaching was more than a career, it was her daily driving force. It was her desire  to help as many people as possible and to make a positive change in the world. Her unwavering faith in God, her commitment to service and her love of people left a lasting mark that we will never forget. Patricia may be absent in the body, but we rejoice knowing that she is with our Lord and Saviour and we will see her again. Her beautiful spirit lives on in all the lives that she touched.