Rev. Lee "Lb" Tate

Rev. Lee Benjamin Tate Sr. age 95 of Athens, Tn. died Monday,September 4, 2017 in a local Athens, TN. hospital. He was the son of the late Otto and Ethel Tate.

His work history was very extensive with him starting work at the age of 14. He worked in public service over 83 years. He started his pastoral work in 1976.  He spent17 years working at the Federal Building as a GS-4 in Athens, 35 years in the ministry, 10 years at Bowaters, 10 years at Fox Photo,3 years at Erlanger Hospital, 2 years at Penn Railroad and prior to all this at a young age he served his country in the United States Army during World War II, in significant battles and campaigns in Central Burma India for which he was decorated with two bronze stars. A highly intelligent man, Rev. Tate entered the military and performed above and beyond on the military IQ test which in later years afforded him the opportunity to attend Cleveland State Community College. He was a 32-degree Mason, a district patron of the Eastern Stars and local patron of Bright Light Chapter Eastern Stars. At the culmination of his work years Rev. Tate was given recognition by the federal government for his many years of civil service.

He is preceded in death by his wife Gabrella Matlock Tate, three sisters, Wilma Cook Smith, Hortense Johnson, Helen Boston, and brother Walter Tate.

Survivors include two sons, Lee Benjamin Tate Jr.(Gerry) of Bedford Ohio and Stephen O. Tate of Athens, TN. Four daughters, Jackie(Pete)Parris, Gloria Tate of Athens, Valerie Ellison of Athens, and Elaine (Ricky) McCowan of Sweetwater, TN. Nine grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, one sister Dimple O’Neal of Chattanooga, TN., and one sister-in-law, Earline Tate of Chattanooga, TN., and a host of many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 8, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mark A.M.E. Church in Athens, TN with presiding Elder J.R. Bridgeman officiating, and presiding Elder Joel Miles delivering the eulogy. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Hammonds Cemetery with military honor guard.