Ruth Ellen Graham Tate, 90, passed away on December 2, at her home in Dunlap, Tennessee. She was born to the late Plez and Ruth Hixson Graham on March 4, 1934. Ruth spent her life dedicated to the things she loved; family, baking, canning, gardening, sewing, and music among other things. She touched the lives of many with her love, kindness and care.
She was the beloved wife of Dorwin Leon Tate. Mother of Tena (Dennis) Bandy, Randy Tate, and Ronnie (Kellie) Tate. She was the beloved grandmother of Lindsey (Chris) Dalton, Sarah (Jonathan) Boyd, Josh (Maddie) Bandy, Graham Tate, Mason Tate and Madison Tate. Great grandmother of Jade, Eva, Ella, Emily, Simeon, Piper, and Sadie.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Lena Morgan, Betty Sweatt and Pauline Heiss; brothers, J. P. Graham, Thomas Graham; and daughter-in-law, Lesa Tate.
Ruth was married to Leon Tate for 59 years. In her leisure time, she could be found quilting, gardening, walking and tending the house. Professionally, she worked at Dunlap Industries for 18 years until her retirement. She was the longest standing member of the Dunlap Methodist Church where she sang in the choir as a soprano. She assisted the Sequatchie County Jail Ministry where she helped guide struggling women back into society. She led the Sequatchie County Fair in the most first place prizes and overall prizes. She would submit a wide variety of cookies, rolls, jellies, canned vegetables and quilts which she won many best in show, with a diversity of patterns and arrangements.
She was the light of any room that she was in. She provided love and compassion to everyone around her with a thoughtfulness and consideration that not many people have or ever will. She provided guidance to anyone that needed it. We will be forever grateful for the woman that we had the privilege to be around and grow up with, and she will be dearly missed.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 5, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Friday, December 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tate Funeral Home in Jasper.
Funeral services will be on Friday, December 6, at 1 p.m. in the Chapel of Tate Funeral Home with Reverend Kim Dunn officiating. Ruth will be entombed at Bryant Cemetery in Dunlap, Tennessee immediately following the funeral service.
Pallbearers are Ronnie Tate, Dennis Bandy, Josh Bandy, Graham Tate, Mason Tate and David Bone.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Tate Funeral Home, LLC, 950 Mel Dixon Lane, Jasper, Tennessee (423) 942-9500. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.tatefh.com.
The Marion Tribune – December 12, 2024
