Born in Muskoge, OK to Lillie Mae Pearson and Eldin Lyday, Patricia was raised in Wichita, KS by her mother and step-father, Ocie Patterson. After business school, Patricia begin her career at the Wichita Area Community Action Program (WACAPI). It was at WACAPI that her passion for community activism was nurtured and grew. In 1975 she and her family returned to Oklahoma, where she retired from Texaco Oil and later from Red Man Pipe. She continued her community engagement by chairing the Martin Luther King parade operations for over 30-years.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 61-years, Jerry Bryant, son, James Bryant, daughters Rochelle, LaReta and Sheryl Bryant, 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Brothers, Trent and Tracy Patterson and sisters, Janie Moore and Barbara Smith.