Shirley Patrick Haith Lee entered the throne of grace early Monday morning, September 8, 2025. She was at home surrounded by the love and comfort of her family.

Shirley was born on October 6, 1935, to the late Jesse and Theressa Patrick. Shirley was the fifth of seven children within the Patrick family. She graduated from Dudley High School in Greensboro NC, in the Class of 1953. Shirley pursued and completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies and was certified in Library Science at Bennett College in 1959, after completing her student teaching at Palmer Institute, now the Historic Site of The Charlotte Hawkins-Brown Memorial Site (Sedalia, NC). In 1976, she earned her Master’s of Science in Media Education from North Carolina A&T State University.

Shirley was a well-known educator serving 31 years in the school system. Shirley’s teaching career began in Asheboro, NC and continued into Guilford County School System with her teaching at the following public institutions: Central School, Rena Bullock School, Charles E. Moore Elementary School, Mount Zion Elementary School, and Smith High School. In that time, she served as a history teacher, math teacher, librarian, media specialist and an associate college professor at Bennett College and North Carolina A&T State University until her retirement. As an educator, Shirley is remembered for always inspiring her students and community to dream and work hard to achieve their goals and aspirations, along with her nurturing nature towards students.

Shirley had a love for traveling. She traveled all over the United States and the world extensively, traveling around North America, Africa, Europe and Asia. She would frequently visit Africa and Europe and loved building lifelong connections and knowledge with peers all over the world. She loved to travel with friends and family for cultural, historical experiences, and as an educational ambassador to share her knowledge with others. She documented everywhere she went with numerous pictures, books, paintings and other artifacts to recount her travels.

Shirley volunteered and gave back to the community by tutoring students in afterschool, educational facilities, and even opening the doors of her home. She enjoyed visiting classrooms to read and do activities with children especially around Christmas. She also served as a volunteer at The Potter House, The Urban Ministries, and helped at the voting polls during elections. She was a proud member of Providence Baptist Church where she served as a committee member for the Church Library, Usher Board, Community Service Guild, Philathea Circle, Teller, and New Member Greeters.

Shirley is preceded in death by her other siblings, Rose Love, Vernon Maceo Patrick, Thomas Patrick, Majorie Young, Alma Jean Swann, and Joel Patrick. Her two older sons, Larry Haith and Terry Haith, also precede her in death. Shirley is survived by her son Rudolph C. (Chris) Lee (Sharon) and daughter Teresa L. Hall (Demetrius) both of Greensboro, NC. She is also survived by seven grandchildren Shielvonda Haith Otu (Archie), Roland Haith, Amanda Haith, Miranda Haith Brown (Ajan), Rashad Lee, Demetria Hall, and Zakiya Hall. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Bennett College Attn: Karen Martin 900 E. Washington St. Greensboro, NC 27401 dedicated in memory of Shirley P. Lee.

Funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Providence Baptist Church, 1106 Tuscaloosa Street Greensboro, North Carolina. Visitation will be held prior at 11:00 a.m.

Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery 3600 North O'Henry Boulevard Greensboro, North Carolina.