Patricia "Theresa" Ann Royal

Patricia Ann Royal, lovingly known as Theresa, Trease, Ma and Tree, passed away on May 21, 2022 at the age of 70. Born on December 14, 1951 in Washington, DC to her parents: David Lee Rickett and Imogene Theresa Rickett (Swann). 

Patricia graduated from Roosevelt High School in the District of Columbia, MD in 1969. She then earned a certification as a Licensed Family Day Care Provider. 

 At an early age, Patricia cared for her younger siblings for a short time after the passing of her mother.  She then cared for her father for many years with pride and dignity. 

Everyone considered Patricia “the mother of all.”  Her soft loving hands were a comfort to many.  The most important thing to Patricia were her children and grandchildren.  Never a day passed that she did not talk about them. 

She worked at the United Postal Service in the District of Columbia, MD, the 4th District Metropolitan Police Department and Burtonsville Early Childhood Day Care Center in Burtonsville, MD; retiring in 2017. She was also a member of the Montgomery County Senior Center in Burtonsville, MD. 

Patricia loved to wear her ruffle blouses and lace clothing. She loved to keep her hair up; and for those who knew her, she loved her auburn color.  She also had a special eye for fashion. You could always catch her in the shopping center doing her daily walk and shopping.  

Patricia always had a way with children. Children seemed to always listen to her as she shared her wisdom and advice with her soft voice in which only she could do. Children absolutely adored her!!

Patricia was well known in the community as “Ma”. Never a day would go by where you wouldn’t get a call from someone in the neighborhood saying, “I saw Ma today”. 

Patricia was gifted with choosing just the right decorations for her home. She had a love for art, glassware, and plants.  

Some of her favorite pastimes were talking about the Young & the Restless with her sisters Diane and Deborah, and she read the bible faithfully with her sister Linda.

Every day, she would sit and talked to her children Bush, Shiri, Tiffany, and TJ, just laughing and joking about food (she loved her potato salad and bread pudding), television shows, and just heart to heart conversations.

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free. I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard him call; I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day, to laugh, love and play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way; I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void; then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared a laugh, a kiss; ah yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow; I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much; good friends, good time, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all to brief; don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now,

He set me free.

Although all bible verses were important to her, Patricia held a special verse in her heart for Psalms 24, “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?

Patricia will be deeply missed by a host of relatives and friends, she touched so many lives. She well be forever in our hearts.

Theresa is predeceased by her father, David Lee Rickett; mother, Imogene Theresa Rickett/Swann; husband of 7 years, Thomas Royal; and brother, Kevin Daniel Rickett. 

Survived by two sons: Thomas Royal, Jr. and Herbert Royal; and two daughters: Tiffany Royal and Shri Royal; grandchildren: Christopher Lee, Zy’king Royal, and Kahmari Royal; and seven siblings: David Rickett, Diane Ellis, Linda Smith, Deborah Seraile, Kimberly Shire, Emmagene Marshall, and Sandrea Pratt. 

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Patricia Royal to the Maryland Food Bank 

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