Patricia Ann Randolph Manley passed away peacefully Friday evening on April 15, 2016, surrounded by the love and support of her family and friends after a brief illness.  Known affectionately as “Pat” to friends and “Peggy” to family, she was likable, fun, and well-respected. Patricia was born June 19, 1943, to the late Cornelius Jackson Randolph and Mary Alease Howell Randolph of Paterson, N.J. She graduated from East Side High School in Paterson in 1961, and went on to graduate from Hampton University (then Hampton Institute) in 1965 with a baccalaureate degree in history. She worked in the field of social work for 32 years until her retirement from the City of Suffolk Department of Social Services in 2002.

Patricia was known for her craftsmanship and creativity. She designed and completed many of her house projects. She was also known for her craft shows that displayed the work she had created all year. Reading was her passion, and those who came to her house were amazed by the number of books she accumulated. She converted to the Kindle to continue her enjoyment of reading. After retirement, Patricia was known to only “do” three things a day as a retired person who had worked all of her life. One of those things was reading the paper and completing the crossword puzzle daily, and the other was making herself breakfast. The third thing was optional.

She was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Suffolk.

She leaves behind her daughter, Kara Alease Manley Battle and her husband, Gerald Tyrone Battle, of Durham, N.C., a sister, Mary Linda Blackman and her son, Kareem Randolph Blackman, of Paterson, N.J., three aunts, Juanita Howell Russell Brown (Haywood), of Emporia, Constance Howell Dortch, of Palmer Springs, and Lucy Byrd Howell Feggins, of Voorhees, N.J., and three great-nephews, Timothy, Devin and Justin Blackman. Patricia had many friends, including long-time college friend and godmother to Kara, Joyce Bembry, of Newark, Del., special friends, Jesse Trent, William Beamon and Lucille Dildy, all of Suffolk, a special “daughter,” Dionne Baker, three stepchildren (Tony, Enza and LeTroy Manley), and a host of family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 23, 2016, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Episcopal Church, 213 N. Main St., Suffolk. Viewing will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. A repast will immediately follow the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Suffolk, Virginia Marine Toys for Tots Campaign in memory of Patricia Manley. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.