Patricia Dayton Obituary

Patricia Eways Dayton

May 1, 1935 - January 23, 2026

Patricia Eways Dayton, 90, of Lakeland, Florida passed away Friday, January 23, 2026.

Pat was born May 1, 1935 in Palmerton, PA to the late Charles and Alice Eways. She graduated from Greensboro Senior High School in Greensboro, NC in 1953. She then went on to Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. where she graduated summa cum laude.

Pat was an outstanding educator in the Lakeland School District for more than 25 years.

She was a social studies teacher at both Lakeland High School and Lakeland Highlands Junior High School. She was honored to be awarded "Teacher of the Year" for all of Polk County during her tenure.

Pat was an active member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Lakeland. She was able to enjoy retirement and travel the world with her beloved husband, Jim, covering over 70 countries! She often used those experiences to teach her geography students a more hands-on approach to social studies!

Pat was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband of 63 years, Jim Dayton.

Survivors include her three children, daughter, Kela (Bryan) Campbell of Loudon, TN; son, Michael Dayton of Orlando, FL; and daughter, Patrece Dayton of Terre Haute, IN.

Six grandchildren, Matthew, Brooke and Jeremy (Alyssa) Campbell, Jale Dayton and Mitchell and Grant Dennany; and four great grandchildren, Lincoln, Memphis and Skylar Campbell and Kayden Passino. She is also survived by her sister, Gullanar Campbell of Greensboro, NC. and four nieces and nephews in the Greensboro area.

Services for Pat Dayton will be private.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lakeland High School. You can mail a check, payable to Lakeland High School, 726 Hollingsworth Road, Lakeland, Florida 33801. Please include "in memory of Pat Dayton" in the memo line, along with any specific club or department to which you want the money donated (ie: geography or history department, band, etc.).