Tate Patriarch, 95 year old Judge Tate, Jr., passed away peacefully, at his home in Erie, PA, on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. He was born to the late Judge Tate, Sr., and, Gertrude (Gavin) Tate, May 25, 1925, in Macon, Mississippi, (Noxubee County).

Judge Tate, Jr., was a resident of Erie for 73 years, and, retired from General Electric in 1987. A former member of Second Baptist Church for over 40 years, where he served as a Trustee, at the time of his passing, Judge, Jr. was a member of New Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, where he was a Deacon. Judge loved to sing, read his Bible, host prayer meetings, help others, and, travel--especially, to Tate family reunions.

Judge was also preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Willie Mae (Dunlap) Tate; brothers, Essett, Sr., Howard, Edward, James W., and, John Tate; son, Willie Williams; Grandsons, Kevin Williams, David McClendon, and, great grandson, DeVonte Duck.

He leaves to cherish his memory:  his children, Edward Tate, Robert Tate (Charity), Willie James Tate (Joann), and Bruce Tate, all of Erie, PA; Jerry Tate (Shirley) of Riverdale, MD; two daughters, Della Quinn of Erie, PA and Estella Tate Beckwith (Paul) of Glenn Dale, MD; and, sisters, Bertha Beard, Erie, PA, Ella Williams, Toledo, OH, Mary Jane Hampton, Chicago, IL, Inez Whitmire (David), Lanham, MD, Arabell Smith, Temple Hill, MD, Bettie Bijou, Bellwood, IL, and Christine Gavin-Latham, New York City, NY; 36 grandchildren, 86 great-grandchildren, 22 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Judge would proudly tell you that he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, on a Tuesday, evening, in 1947. When asked what he would want his legacy to be, or, what he wants to be remembered for, Judge's example and answer has remained constant throughout the years, he "PUT GOD FIRST!" He also desired for his grandchildren to further their education.