October 1, 1954 – December 21, 2024

Patricia was born on October 1, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Rubye Lee Mack Jones and Irving Jones. She was the cherished only child of this union. Following her parents’ separation, Patricia and her mother moved to Oakland, California, where they lived with Rubye’s eldest sister, Eula (affectionately called “Grandmother”), and Eula’s husband, Benny. It was in this loving household that two year old "Patty" began to shine.

Patricia’s musical journey began early. Her first Christmas present, a piano gifted by her parents, marked the start of her lifelong love for music. Under the tutelage of her beloved piano teacher, Bessie Johnson, Patricia dazzled audiences at the age of six with her mastery of Johann Sebastian Bach’s masterpieces at the Junior Bach Festivals. She later honed her craft at the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of Music, establishing herself as a classically trained pianist.

Patricia attended Oakland public schools including, Longfellow Elementary, Claremont Junior High and graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1972. During high school, she joined the Black Panther Party, adopting the nickname Oseye, meaning “happy” in Swahili. In 1972, her mother married Cecil Burgess, Sr., and Patricia gained a loving bonus father, “Mr. B,” along with new siblings, nieces and nephews.

Patricia’s academic pursuits led her to UC Davis, where she majored in English and minored in Zoology due to her deep love for animals. Friends and family affectionately referred to her as “Dr. Doolittle.” It was during her college years that Patricia discovered her calling as a teacher, a vocation that would define her life. She earned her teaching credential from UC Berkeley and began her impactful career.

Patricia’s professional journey started at Oakland Parks and Recreation. This is where she met Ronnie Turner and the two wed in 1979. Ronnie and Patricia had two children from their union, Brian Turner who was stillborn and their rainbow baby, Leah Turner in 1982. Ronnie and Patricia’s marriage dissolved in 2001.

Patricia’s career at Oakland Parks & Rec was incredibly successful. She wrote, directed, composed, and orchestrated numerous theatrical productions that captivated audiences. Her shows consistently sold out and launched the careers of some of the Bay Area’s most prominent artists. Her Munchkins’s Theatre, Attic Theatre and Summer Theatre programs, including acclaimed productions like Cinderella, Charlotte’s Web, The Wiz, and Lost in the Stars, earned her widespread recognition.

After leaving Parks and Recreation, Patricia transitioned to teaching to dedicate more time to her daughter, Leah. As a music and theatre teacher at Shelton’s Primary Education Center, she led the school choir in a featured performance at Festival at the Lake, composed the school song, and inspired countless students. Patricia’s teaching career spanned decades and included work at institutions across the Bay Area, where she taught students of all ages and backgrounds, from preschoolers to senior citizens and from deaf children to juvenile delinquents. She taught with honesty and love, impacting students at the following schools: Shelton’s Primary Education Center, Douglas Tilden School for the Deaf, Vallectio Elementary, Laney College, McClymonds High School, Golden Gate Academy, Tyrell Elementary, Sojourner Truth Independent Study, Butler Academic Center to name a few. Her belief that no student was beyond reach led to her coining the phrase “Turner Trained,” a hallmark of her transformative teaching style.

Patricia’s spiritual journey was equally profound. She accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at BeeBee Memorial Church in Oakland. Later, she joined Church of All Faiths, where she led the Voices of All Faiths Choir and the Children’s Choir. Patricia became a member of City of the Lord Zion, serving as the worship leader for approximately two decades. Her album, A Call to Worship, released in 2007, touched souls around the world. In 2016, she was ordained as a Psalmist and Prophet, further solidifying her role as a spiritual leader.

Patricia’s memory lives on through her daughter, Leah Turner-Jenkins; her son-in-law, Jamaal Jenkins; her bonus siblings, Joyce, John, Debby, Kent, and Monique; her godchildren, Azariah, Aiden, and Eisiq; her nieces and nephews, Bakari, Safiya, La'Juana and Larry Jr.; Jan and Jonathan and a host of other cousins; and her spiritual family, Robert & Diahann Daniels, Ron & Smyrna Love, Ina Brooks, and Annie Green. Her family that awaits her in heaven: Rubye Lee (Mother), Irving (Father), Cecil Sr. (Bonus Father), and Bonus Brothers Cecil Jr. and Larry. She will also be lovingly remembered by her countless students, friends, and extended family.

Known affectionately as Mommy, Nana, Sister Pat, Ms. Turner, Mama Pat, Jazzy Pat, Oseye, Auntie Pat, and Daughter of God, Patricia filled our lives with so much joy and profoundly impacted the lives of many. Patricia’s life is a testament to her deep and unwavering relationship with God and reminds us of the power of love, creativity, and faith. Her radiant legacy will endure forever.