Tate Rowan Guard Williams

Tate Rowan Guard Williams died peacefully on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at her home. She celebrated her 100th birthday among family and friends earlier this year.

Born Jan. 13, 1923, in Blue Springs, Miss., to Young Tucker and Vira Crump Rowan, Tate spent her childhood in nearby Okolona. A graduate of Okolona High School, she attended Mississippi State College for Women and graduated from Miss Wylie’s Office Training School in Memphis.

Tate married James Charles (Spiffy) Guard in 1943. She lived in New York City while Dr. Guard served overseas during World War II. Upon his return, Tate and “Spiffy” made their home in Blytheville. They were happily married for almost fifty years.

A devoted follower of the Christian faith, Tate was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she served on various boards. She was active in United Methodist Women and taught Sunday school for many years. It was in her Sunday school class where Tate formed a friendship with Dwight Williams. They were married in 1995 and enjoyed almost 20 years of companionship.

She adored her family and was a much loved “Taterbug” (or just Bug) to her grandchildren, their spouses, and her great-grandchildren. She also held close to her heart Dwight’s family and special friends Yvette Guyton and Brandee Vardinakis.

As a young woman, Tate was selected Blytheville’s 1952 Woman of the Year. At the time, she was president of Blytheville Junior Auxiliary where she directed the establishment of the Lange School for Exceptional Children. She was also instrumental in the establishment of the post-polio treatment center adjoining the Blytheville Health Unit. Tate was active in the Red Cross, the Tuberculosis Association and the Crippled Children’s Clinic.

For many years Tate enjoyed tennis, weekly bridge games, and book clubs with friends. Recently she was honored as a 70-year member in Chapter D PEO.

She was preceded in death by her husbands and parents; daughter, Melinda Guard Carter; brothers, Young Stanley Rowan and Dr. Thomas Woodson Rowan; sons-in-law, James Norman Carter and Nicholas Cheatum Patterson; and a very special friend, Mary Arriola.

Mrs. Williams is survived by her daughter, Molly Patterson of Blytheville, and her daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Roy Nichols of Fayetteville; seven grandchildren, Julie Patterson Lutes (Chris), James Nicholas Patterson (Perrin), Jenna Carter Vardell (Tom), Megan Carter, Jessica Nichols Brooks (Matt), Rebekah Nichols Craven (Ryan) and Charles Nichols (Lesley); 10 great-grandchildren, Olivia Simpson Lyles (Sam), Noah Brooks, Tate Lutes, Rosalind Lutes, River Craven, Molly Tate Vardell, Simone Brooks, Grace Louise Vardell, Julia Patterson and James Patterson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Monday, June 26, at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Blytheville. Burial will be private. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time in the parlor of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.