Beverly Patton Oakley

Beverly Patton Oakley passed away peacefully at her home in Durham on April 18, 2025, just two months shy of her 75th birthday. She was a beloved sister, aunt, great-aunt, teacher, neighbor, and friend. Known for her sparkling smile, boisterous laughter, boundless empathy, rebellious streak, and deep compassion, Beverly left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Born Beverly Bason Patton on June 18, 1950, she was the second child of Lonnie Lee Patton and Mildred Nehoma Craddock Patton. Beverly grew up on a 40-acre farmstead in the Woodlawn area of Alamance County, near Mebane, NC, surrounded by a loving extended family and a close-knit community rooted in Cross Roads Presbyterian Church. She was raised alongside her older sister Vicky Lee Patton and enjoyed the joy-filled chaos of a childhood with 20 cousins, doting aunts and uncles, and strong family ties. From a young age, Beverly embraced the beauty of friendship, humor, music, and nature. She delighted in water skiing with her father at Buggs Island, and family trips to White Lake. She remained close to friends and cousins from her earliest days, including her best friend from kindergarten, Gloria Nash Long, and her dear cousins, Sylvia (Craddock) Jarrell and Jill (Jarrell) Newsome.

Beverly graduated from Eastern High School in 1968, where she served as head cheerleader, was active in the science and yearbook clubs, and was named runner-up for Miss Eastern High. She went on to Pfeiffer College to major in Elementary Education and, true to form, built another lifelong network of dear friends. In 1972, she married her high school sweetheart, Dan Oakley. Although the marriage did not last, Beverly proudly remained a lifelong fan of Carolina basketball—a legacy of the Oakley family she embraced with enthusiasm.

Her calling as an educator was clear from the start. Beverly began teaching kindergarten at Hope Valley Elementary in Durham in 1972 and later joined the Duke University Preschool and Primary School, where she thrived in a cutting-edge, research-informed environment. She eventually returned to public education, teaching at EK Powe, New Hope, and Forest View Elementary Schools. She was instrumental in helping build Forest View’s elementary education program and was a member of the Phi Delta Kappa educational association. Beverly taught for over 25 years and was especially gifted at reaching children who needed something extra—offering love, patience, and imagination freely and generously. Beverly also forged deep friendships with her educator colleagues, and relished in their vacations together, enjoying long, sunny days at North Carolina beaches.

Even after retiring early due to health issues, Beverly remained committed to education. She substituted, volunteered, and played a key role in founding Central Park School for Children in Durham. Beginning in 1999, she brought together a group of visionary educators to design a child-centered, hands-on, project-based school rooted in creativity, outdoor learning, and social-emotional development. Their dream became reality when Central Park School for Children opened in 2003—a lasting testament to Beverly’s belief in the magic of learning and the limitless potential of children.

Beverly adored her family and spent countless joyful hours with her nieces and nephew—Margaret Patton Chapman, Robert Lee Chapman IV, Anna Elisabeth Chapman, and Charlotte Elisabeth Patton Chapman—and her great-niece and nephews, Eleanor Jane Chapman, Vander Aloysius Laurent Chapman, and Bruno Beverly Santaloci.

A natural storyteller, Beverly knew all the best songs to sing and books to read. Children gravitated toward her warmth and humor. She had a lifelong love of elephants—sparked by an early viewing of Dumbo—and amassed a delightful collection of elephant figurines from around the world. Her other great loves included Motown, rock’n’roll, dancing, and swimming—she was a true mermaid at heart.

In 2014, Beverly moved from Chapel Hill to Pearl Mill Flats in Durham, where she became a cherished member of the community and a familiar, beloved figure at the pool. Neighbors knew her as funny, kind, a bit mischievous, and wholly unforgettable.

Beverly often said she hoped to haunt her loved ones just a little—bringing laughter and mischief from the other side. So if something silly and joyful catches you by surprise, know it might just be Bev saying hello.

In lieu of flowers, Beverly hoped donations would be made in her name to organizations that reflect her love of animals and the sea—especially those working in the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, which she loved and visited regularly with her family:

• Vieques Island Animal Sanctuary

• The Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust

A celebration of life will be held in June.