Al Tate

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Al Tate, 72, who peacefully left this world on March 11, 2024, at Great River Medical Center in Blytheville. Al was born on July 1, 1951, in Tunica, Miss., to his loving parents, the late John Tate and Alberta White-Tate.

In 2005, Al began working at the steel mill as a tow-motor operator for Tela Fast, until his retirement in 2018. He was a dedicated member of the Northside Church of Christ in Blytheville, where he found comfort and community.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, John and Alberta Tate; five brothers, Robert White, Robert L. Tate, Cleveland Tate, Charles Tate and Edward Tate; and one sister, Ever L Myers.

Al is survived by his wife, Valarie Tate of Berea, Ohio; three sons, Sean Tate of Cleveland, Ohio, Eric Dantzler (Sheila) of Chicago, Ill., and AL Summers of Atlanta, Ga.; and his daughter, Erica Tate of Canton, Ohio. He is also survived by his three brothers, Joe Tate (Margaret) of Blytheville, Leroy Tate (Leona), also of Blytheville, and Moses Tate (Clara) of Richton Park, Fla.; and his four sisters, Alberta Fuller of Kosciusko, Miss., Loretta Heard, Dorothy Johnson and Lynda Bailey, all of Blytheville. Al leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, who were his pride and joy.

Al will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him.

A funeral service to honor and celebrate Al’s life will be held Saturday, March 23, with the visitation from 1-2 p.m. and the funeral to follow at 2 p.m. at the Northside Church of Christ on North 6th Street in Blytheville. Burial will take place at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Blytheville, with Bro. Bill Drake officiating.

Wilson Funeral Home in Blytheville will be in charge of the arrangements.