Thursday, February 14, 2019 8:18 am

Ray Patterson Tate, 78, of Forest City, passed away Sunday, February 3, 2019.

Ray was born March 27, 1940 in Rutherford County and was a son of the late Thomas Wellington Tate and Marie Watkins Tate. He was a member of Florence Baptist Church, the Virgil Webb Sunday School Class, and retired from Duke Energy following many years service.

Ray was a devoted father, grandfather, and brother and he deeply loved his family. When he was younger, Ray enjoyed the game of golf and in more recent years he loved going to Flea Markets.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Max W. Tate, Helen Tate McGaha, Jean Tate Thomason, Jimmy Charles Tate, Dot Tate, and Donald Lee Tate.

Survivors include his daughters, Rhonda Tate McCraw and husband Mitchell of Forest City, Gina Tate of Rutherfordton, a son, John Towery of Forest City, his sisters, Faye Tate Smith, Jolayne Tate Towery, and Judy Tate Radford and her husband Al all of Forest City. There are also four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

The funeral service was held at the Florence Baptist Church. Members of the Virgil Webb Sunday School class served as honorary pallbearers. Interment followed in the Floyds Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Fairhaven Home of Forest City, Activity Fund, 830 Bethany Church Road, Forest City, NC 28043.

The Padgett & King Mortuary is serving the family.