Donald Lee Tate, age 80

Donald Lee Tate, age 80, of Forest City, passed away on October 31, 2018.

Donald was the son of the late Thomas Wellington Tate and Alpha Marie Watkins Tate, and husband of 56 years to the late Tamara Morrow Tate. After marrying Tamara, Donald served in the United States Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis. When his service ended, Donald moved back to Rutherford County and worked in the textile industry, retiring after 50+ years of employment. He enjoyed his time working for many different manufacturing facilities, Spindale Mills, and Cone Mills were two of the most recent. His career in the textile industry allowed him to travel and see many different places, including trips abroad to Germany. Into retirement, Donald liked to spend his time collecting old tools and refinishing antique furniture.

Survivors include son Christopher Scott Tate; two grandsons; one special granddaughter; siblings Faye Tate Smith, Ray P Tate, Jolayne Tate Towery, and Judy Tate Radford; sister-in-law "Pug" Paulette Ward (John); sister-in-law Annette Wilson (Cread); and many nieces and nephews; In addition to his parents and wife, Donald was preceded in death by siblings Max W. Tate, Helen Tate McGaha, Jean Tate Thomason, Jimmy Charles Tate, and Dot Tate.

Services were held at Adaville Baptist Church. Burial followed at Adaville Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Adaville Baptist Church Building Fund 805 Oakland Rd, Spindale, NC 28160.

Crowe's Mortuary and Crematory is serving the family.