L eflections R R ife’s
eflections
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 17:4
W
illie Horace Tate enjoyed an abundant and purpose-filled life. He never met a stranger and could find humor in almost any situation. During moments when he was experiencing disappointments or heartaches or impairments, he realized that pleasure and happiness and joy are found deep within the heart and not in life’s circumstances. In almost every situation, he found a reason to praise the Lord. Tate was born on March 7, 1946, to the late Niagara Jones Tate and Willie Roy Tate. Tate spent his formative years in Orange Mound and was a proud 1964 graduate of “The Melrose High School.” After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Tate was later employed as a truck driver. Following retirement, he became an entrepreneur. Tate was a faithful member of the Longview Heights SDA Church, where he served in various capacities over the years: Elder, Deacon, Prison Ministry Worker, Sanctuary Choir Member, and usher. In the most recent years, he thoroughly enjoyed Sabbath School Lesson Discussions and his work as a sermon writer, mentor, and coach for Children’s Church. Men’s Ministry was especially dear to him. His love and close relationship with the late Pastor Alfred Hill gave him the honor of being one of the founding fathers of the First SDA Church in Tunica, Mississippi. Tate is survived by his loving and dedicated wife of 37 years – Mary K. Tate. He will be lovingly remembered by his brother: Rickey (Eloise) Tate and his sister: Sophia Shipp. His memory will be cherished by his children: Keshun, Val, Roderick, Willie, Roberta, Joseph (Nicole), Towanda, and Benjamin (Keosha). He will be missed by his 27 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He leaves a brother-in-law: Edward (Alma) Kirby, and a sister-in-law: Geraldine Kilpatrick. Tate enjoyed a special relationship with Janet and Isaac Fordjour, Debbie and Calvin Ratchford, Stella and Terry Keller, Sherri and Ferris Williams, Tammy and Terry Sims, and the entire Longview Heights SDA Church Family. He will forever be remembered and loved by a host of other relatives and friends. Tate’s parents, two brothers (Bryce and Moton), one son (Warren), and two grandchildren (Sherrod and Brae), preceded him in death. Tate’s life of dedication and faith in God is a legacy that will live on in the hearts of those whose lives he touched.
The Celebration of Life
Celebration Elder Willie H. Tate Tuesday, May 25, 2021 • 11:00 A.M.
Brown Missionary Baptist Church 980 Stateline Road Southaven, Mississippi 38671 Pastor Bartholomew Orr, Senior Pastor
Pastor Alex Horton ~ Officating ~
Prelude Processional Scripture Reading..................................................................Pastor Timothy Robinson, Sr.
Shekinah Glory Ministries
Prayer.............................................................................Pastor Herbert Kilpatrick (Cousin)
Christ Way Outreach Ministries
Musical Selection................................................................Longview Heights SDA Church
Reflections
(Respectfully, Two Minutes Please)
Hazel Hawes - Cousin William Johnson - Classmate Terry Keller - Friend/Church Member Acknowledgements........................................................................................Florine Jones Musical Selection.................................Longview Heights SDA Church Eulogy...................................Pastor Alex Horton Closing Prayer....................Pastor Alex Horton Recessional
~Acknowledgements ~
The outpouring of love and encouragement throughout Tate’s illness and death has warmly touched the Tate family. We are eternally grateful for your countless expressions of love. Our prayer is that God will richly bless you for your demonstration of support during our time of need. Special appreciation and gratitude to the dedicated staff at Baptist DeSoto Hospital – Stepdown ICU especially Nurse Deidre and PCA Chekita.
~The Family
~Honorary Pallbearers ~ Sons, Grandsons, and Nephews ~Active Pallbearers~
Deacons - Longview Heights Seventh Day Adventist Church Zachary Boyd Glenn Elliott Rickey Johnson Robert Jones Reginald Owens Terry Sims
~ Interment ~ Tuesday, May 25, 2021 • 1:00 P.M. West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road Memphis, Tennessee 38125
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