Geneva Washington Tate

Geneva Washington Tate the widow of James Lee Tate passed on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at her home in Chicago, Illinois. She was born May 24, 1930 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas to the union of McCuria “Mack” and Alberta Davis Washington.

As a young girl she was a member of St. Paul AME Church. The family moved north to Chicago and she attended Wendell-Phillips High School. There she united with New Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago.

She married the handsome James Lee Tate on March 26, 1949 and to this union two children were born, Denise and Kevin. They made their home in Chicago where she worked for the Chicago School Board of Education for over 28 years retiring in 1987.

Geneva was a great cook who loved a fulfilling great game of Bingo. Some of her favorite genres of music included rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues. She was a doting grandmother who enlightened her grandchildren with stories of yester-years. Some of her most memorable moments were spent “down home” in Arkansas. The highlight of their visits was the 2nd of August Picnic, the Tate Family Reunion or just simple get-togethers.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Lee Tate who passed on Wednesday, November 28, 2007.

Left to celebrate her life are her children; Alberta Denise Tate and Kevin Tate both of Chicago, Illinois; three grandchildren, Taylor Tate, Morgan Tate and Emmanuel Tate; awaiting the arrival of a great-granddaughter; one sister, Lavera “Toy” Facey of Las Vegas, NV and nephew, William “Jimmy” Facey; a special cousin, Frankie (Geraldine) Glover of Chicago, IL; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Annie Tate of Arkadelphia, Oliver & his wife Shirley Tate of Wichita Fall, TX, and Donald & his wife, Debra Tate of Los Angeles, CA, Laura Tate and Essie Jackson of Arkadelphia; Gertha Duncan of Mt. Pine; Dorothy Butler of Portland, OR and Elverna Tate of Los Angeles, CA, Meldene & his wife, Brenda Ivory of Arkadelphia and Carolyn Owens of North Little Rock, AR. She also leaves a host of nieces and nephews.

Viewing will be held at Williams Funeral Home on Saturday, March 9, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 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 her life will be shared with family and friends on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 2:20 p.m. at St. Ruth Baptist Church with Rev. Jamal Brown, pastor and officiant. Rev. Ezekiel Vaughn, Assoc. Minister at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Plano, Texas will be the eulogist.
Interment will be at Burtsell Cemetery. The pallbearers will be Carl Cummings, Richard Brim, Mark Gillette, Glenn Hill, Jr., Jackie Tate and Freddie Gillette.