Samuel Kenneth Tate

Samuel Kenneth Tate, age 84, of Wilmington, N.C., passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2015, at Azalea Health and Rehab. He was born December 30, 1930, in Meadowview, Va. the youngest of eleven children born to the late Berry Hill Tate and Bessie Mae Farris Tate. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force having served in the Korean War, and was retired from Defense General Supply Center in Richmond, Va. In addition to his parents, Samuel was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 22 years, Dorothy Bare Tate; and seven siblings, Buster, Gorman, and Bill Tate, Clara Mae Kestner, Mildred Dye, Katheryn Kestner, and Eva Rush. He is survived by his son, Kenneth “Lance” Tate and wife Katie Nelson Tate of Wilmington, N.C.; daughter, Eleanor “Renee” Tate of Knoxville, Tenn.; three siblings: James Tate and wife Bailey of Bristol, Tenn.; Geneva Wright and husband Wiley of Bristol, Va.; and Ruth Smith of Bristol, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Cora Blue Tate and Elise Dorothy Tate; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. A funeral ceremony will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at the Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service with Pastor James W. Norris officiating. Cremation will follow. Those wishing to share memories and express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com. The family of Samuel Kenneth Tate is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).