Patricia Fuller Montgomery was called home by God on Feb. 23, 2015.

The daughter of the late Juanita and Solon Fuller Jr., Patricia graduated from C.F. Pope High School in Burgaw, N.C. in 1964. She received her B.S. degree in Sociology from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), a Master of Arts degree in Education from Virginia Tech, and a Certificate in Advanced Study from Old Dominion University.

An educator for more than 35 years, she was the first principal to open two new elementary schools in Suffolk in back-to-back years, serving as principal at Mack Benn Elementary in 1998 and the renovated Booker T. Washington Elementary in 1999.

Patricia shall always be remembered by her peers as a leader who demonstrated and demanded excellence in her teachers and compassion for her students.

She was a member of the East End Baptist Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Dennis; son Derek; daughter Meaghan; brother Solon Fuller III (Willie Ann) of Wilmington, N.C.; grandchildren, Dekari, Dasia, Danai and Destiny; a beloved aunt Muriel Lovell; a beloved cousin, Donna West; in-laws, William and Alberta Montgomery of Chesapeake; and a host of other treasured in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.

The celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m., on Monday, March 2, 2015 at East End Baptist Church, Suffolk. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday at St. Mark Cemetery in Rocky Point, N.C.

The family requests that donations be made in her name to the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org).

Final arrangements were handled by Harris Funeral Home. You may send condolences to the family at www.vharrisfuneralhome.com.