Doris Elaine Tate, 81, of Greenville, Texas, passed away on Friday, September 6, 2019 at Baylor Scott & White Centennial Hospital. A memorial service celebrating her life will be at Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Greenville at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 11, 2019. Visitation will be 10:00 A.M. prior to the service. Rev. Jack Mullins and Rev. David Hargrove will officiate the celebration, with Minister of Music, Mr. Allen Howard on the organ and Mr. Dennis Strickland on the piano. Mr. Don Coppinger will serve as soloist. Coker-Mathews Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Doris was born in Collin County, Texas on December 14, 1937 to Albert Lester Smith and Eula Brown Smith. She was the second of four children. Doris (Smith) Tate was an Allen, Texas native and a 1956 graduate of Allen High School and a 1960 graduate of Texas Christian University with a degree in Home Economics and Dietetics. She married John Thomas Tate on August 24, 1963 at University Christian Church on the campus of Texas Christian University. Doris’ decedents were early settlers in Collin County. She served as assistant Dietician for Texas Christian University Food Services from 1960 to 1971. Doris worked in Special Education for The Mineral Wells I.S.D. after her children became school age. She worked with Southern Christian Services (Disciples of Christ) in Jackson, Mississippi. She volunteered with FISH Hunt County Shared Ministries until her stroke in 2015. Always her primary job was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband, Rev. Dr. John T. Tate of Greenville; daughter, Wendy Starnes and husband, John of Justin, Texas; son, John Thomas Tate Jr. (Tommy) of Trophy Club, Texas; grandson, Jace Dillon Starnes of Justin, Texas; sister, Sue Shrader and husband, Robert of Austin, Texas; sister-in-law, Faith Bickley of Landenberg, Pennsylvania; sister-in-law, Flolynn Stover of Jackson, Mississippi and brother-in-law, Dr. Robert A. Tate and wife, Phyllis of Austin, Texas,; nieces, Beth Heffernan and husband, Lyndon of Allen, Texas, Elizabeth Shrader of Round Rock, Texas, Amy Hertzog and husband, Jim of Kennett, Pennsylvania, Libby Phillips and husband, John of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Barbara England and husband, Bob of Jackson, Mississippi and Lynn Teel and husband, Bruce of Fort Worth, Texas; nephew, Robert Wright Tate and wife, Sherri’ of Diamondale, Michigan and Doris’ shadow and constant companion, her little Chihuahua, Brownie; along with extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Albert Smith Jr., nephew, Phillip Smith, sister, Louisa La Follette, brother-in-law, Avery La Follette, nephew, Stan La Follette and brother-in-law, Howard E. Stover.
The family wishes to extend our gratitude to Dr. Tim Ellington and staff and her caregivers, Kennette Hanson and Ada Wingler and to Doris’ “go-to man”, G.E. Vaughn for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Christian Church, 2611 Wesley St., Greenville, Texas 75401, FISH Hunt County Shared Ministries, 2805 King St., Greenville, Texas, 75401 or a charity of your choice.
