Betty Pate Obituary

Betty Ruth Foster Pate May 27, 1933 - July 24, 2024

ERWIN - Betty Ruth Foster Pate, age 91, of Erwin, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Mrs. Pate was the daughter of the late Robert and Zula Foster. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Tommy John Pate, sons, James S. Pate and Gordon Keith Pate, sister, Audrey Renfro, 6 brothers, Clarence, Raymond, Earnest, Leonard, Calvin and Allan Foster.

Mrs. Pate is survived by her daughters, Karen Gentry (Frank) and Janie Love (Tim), and one daughter-in-law, Cathy Pate. She also leaves behind 7 grandchildren: Allison Athon (Todd), Ryan Love (Megan), Kelsey King (Chris), Whitney Pate (Audrea Miller), Kelly Pate, Olivia Coontz (Will), Anica Gentry (Andrew Cooper) and 5 great-grandchildren: Callie and Tess Athon, Eleanor and Amelia Coontz, and Orie King. She is also survived by brothers, Dennis (Lillian) and Mike Foster and one brother-in-law Anderson Pate and two sisters-in-law, Margaret Foster and Frances Foster.

Mrs. Pate retired from the Unicoi County School System where she served as the librarian at Temple Hill School. She was a longtime member of Shallow Ford Baptist Church where she had taught Sunday School, worked in VBS, sang in the choir and was involved in the WMU.

The family respectfully requests the honor of your presence as we offer tribute and remember the life of Betty Ruth Foster Pate in a funeral service to be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in the chapel at Valley Funeral Home. Reverend Zach Smith will officiate. A visitation period to share memories and offer support to the family will begin at 12:00 pm on Saturday and will continue until service time at Valley Funeral Home. A graveside committal service will be held in Roselawn Cemetery following the funeral service. Those attending the committal service should meet at Valley Funeral Home by 1:30 pm on Saturday to go in procession to the cemetery. Serving as active pallbearers will be Ryan Love, Chris King, Andrew Cooper, Will Coontz, Todd Athon and Stephen Archer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Betty's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www. valleyfuneralhome.net or on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ValleyFuneralHomeErwin. These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of Betty Ruth Foster Pate through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N Main Ave., Erwin, TN. 37650. (423) 743-9187