James Lee Tate

Romans 14:8 states, “For if we live, we live unto the Lord: and if we die, we die unto the Lord.” The only comfort and security we have in this life is that we belong to the Lord. Life began for James Lee Tate on September 16, 1932, in Arkadelphia, to Jay Lee and Elnora Anderson Tate. He was raised in the Gum Springs community and at an early age joined St. Ruth Baptist Church. On July 24, 1952, at the age of 20 he enlisted in the United States Army. He was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He was a veteran and a retired Supervisor of Motor Vehicles for the United States Postal Service. In his 75th season On Wednesday, November 28, 2007, James surrendered his soul to Christ at the Jessie Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters. James was a devoted Husband, Father, Uncle, Grandfather and Friend, who touched many through his love and kindness. Left to celebrate his life are his wife Geneva, his children; Alberta Tate and Kevin Tate all of Chicago, Illinois three brothers, Willie Tate & his wife Annie of Arkadelphia, Oliver & his wife Shirley Tate of Wichita Fall, Texas, and Donald & his wife Debra Tate of Los Angeles, California; five sisters, Laura Tate and Essie Jackson of Arkadelphia; Gertha Duncan of Mt. Pine; Dorothy Butler of Portland, Oregon and Elverna Tate of Los Angeles, California; one stepbrother Meldine & his wife Brenda Ivory of Arkadelphia, three stepsisters, Bobby Dowling of Chicago, Illinois, Eddie Kinkaid of Dallas, Texas and Carolyn Owens of North Little Rock, three grandchildren, Taylor Tate, Morgan Tate, Emmanuel Tate and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and numerous friends. Mr. Tate will lie in state at Williams Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. The family will greet friends and share the Images of Life DVD from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Final tributes to his life will be shared with family and friends on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of St. Ruth Baptist Church in the Gum Springs Community. Rev. Frederick Gilmore, Pastor & Officiant. Rev. Ezekiel Vaughn, Assoc. Minister at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Plano, Texas will be the eulogist. Mrs. Tate and the family has selected Richard Brim, Carl Cummings, Freddie Gillette, Mark Gillette, Glen Hill, Jr., Drew Hill, and Rance Tate to serve as active bearers of the casket. The Committal service & final resting place will be at Burtsell Cemetery.