Deacon John A. Tate

Deacon-Emeritus John Arthur Tate was born April 1, 1932 to the late Ruth and Tom Tate.  John departed his life on March 31, 2023 at VCU Tappahannock Hospital.

John joined Jerusalem Baptist Church at an early age, and was a dedicated and faithful member until his health began to fail him.  During his time at Jerusalem Baptist Church he sang on the Men’s Chorus.  He was ordained as a Deacon under the leadership of Rev. Henry C. Lee and made Deacon-Emeritus under the leadership of Pastor Darryl Fisher in 2017.  He was educated in the Westmoreland County Public Schools.

He served in the Army from April 23, 1953 to April 11, 1955 with an honorable discharge.  He was a Mason for the Westmoreland Lodge #212 PHA.

He was joined in holy matrimony on November 21, 2009 to Mary Baylor.

John worked at Carlton and Edwards, Inc, Saluda, VA for 64 years.  He loved that job dearly and was a dedicated worker.  After leaving, he always said, “I sure would like to go back to work”.  John had the love for talking on the CB.  His CB handle was “Night Crawler”.  He also loved hunting and was a member  of the Kremlin Hunting Club, watching Family Feud and baseball.

John was a man of a few words, but when he spoke his words were powerful.  He was a kind, meek and humble gentle giant.  To know him was to love him.  Outside of his children, he was a father-figure to a multitude of other children, who loved him dearly.  He will be greatly missed by all.

He leaves to cherish his memories: wife: Mary Baylor, Tappahannock, VA; his children: Georgia Woodson (Dennis) Philadelphia, PA; Carolyn Crawley, Washington, DC; Thelma Burrell (Austin) Warsaw, VA; Gloria Crawley-Ashton, Newport News, VA; Darlene Tate, Richmond, VA; John Tate, Montross, VA; Brenda Bibbens, Oldhams, VA; Sandra Johnson (Kelvin) Oldhams, VA; Doris Tate (Thurston) Richmond, VA; and Gregory Tate, San Francisco, CA.  Step-children: Tena Reynolds (Rodney), Fort Worth, TX; Janet White (Devon) Lawrenceville, GA; Charlene Robertson, Warsaw, VA; Siblings: Joan Pratt (Mark) Oldhams, VA and Tom Tate (Lilian) Philadelphia, PA.  Three brothers-in-law: William McCoy, Chester, MD; Charles Plummer and John Plummer, Callao, VA and three sisters-in-law:  Helen Bell, Baltimore, MD, Margaret Johnson, Philadelphia, PA, and Martha Tate, Callao, VA; 15 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren;  3 step-great-grandchildren; a daughter-figure: Yolanda Day (Frank); and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.  He also had very dear friends Deacon Lewis Blackwell, Jr., George (Quack) and Florence Smith.

Services of Remembrance will be held on Monday, April 10th at 12 Noon in the sanctuary of Jerusalem Baptist Church, 2404 Nomini Hall Road, Hague, Virginia.

Interment will follow in the Jerusalem Baptist Church Cemetery.

Remains may be viewed from 4PM until 6PM on Sunday, April 9th in the chapel of the WELDON-FISHER FUNERAL HOME and from 10AM until service time on Monday at Jerusalem Baptist Church.

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