Helen Tate

Helen Victoria Tate “BABE MIKE” was loved by everyone. On November 21, 2023, at Northern Neck Senior Care (Warsaw), God in His infinite wisdom, gently called her home. Helen was born on April 5th, 1929 to the late John and Lucy Richardson of Hague, Virginia.

She was educated in the Public Schools of Westmoreland County and a member of Potomac Baptist Church. At an early age Helen was baptized and joined Potomac Baptist Church, where she was an active member until her death.

On September 18th, 1949, she was married to the late George Edward Tate Sr. and they were blessed with four children.

She leaves to mourn one daughter Marie Gaskins (John – deceased); three sons: George Tate Jr. (Marie), William Tate Sr. (Wanda), and Carl Tate Sr. (Faustina); seventeen grandchildren; twenty-eight great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, John Tate (Elizabeth); devoted niece, Martha Lee; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, George Tate Sr.; mother, Lucy Richardson; father, John Richardson, eight sisters: Laura Veney, Rosette Fisher, Catherine Fisher, Martha Lee Fisher, Ethel Barnes, Ruth Dean, Evelyn Garner, and Hilda Lewis; four brothers: David Fisher, Leon Fisher, James Johnson, and Samuel Johnson; niece, Lucille Lee; three grandchildren, Jonathon Tate, Adam O’Neal, and Eugene Tate.

She was a loving, kind, and gentle person who was truly devoted to the happiness of her family. She enjoyed gospel music by Lee Williams, dancing, gardening, cooking and shopping with her sister Hilda Lewis and reading her bible. She was always by the side of her husband George “Hank” Tate as he worked the family farming business until his death. As a wife, mother and grandma there was no sacrifice too great for her family. Helen worked various places such as Fish Factory, Cannery Factory, Oyster House, Straughn Tomato Factory and many other different types of work. She instilled her same work values in her children.

During the latter 6 years of her life Helen faced deteriorating health and required constant care. She was fortunate to have the following constant caregivers (daughter-in-law) Faustina, (granddaughter) Tosha, support angels: Darlene Jones, Sylvia Baylor, Delores Dixon, Ebony Carey, Peggy Tate, (niece) Joyce Lee, (Gail Johnson and Burnestine Brooks. God has truly blessed Helen with loving family and friends, who have made this time easier to bear.

Funeral Services for Helen Tate will be held on Saturday, December 2 at 1PM in the auditorium of the Westmoreland High School, Montross, Virginia. 
Interment will follow in the Potomac Baptist Church Cemetery, 6099 Nomini Hall Road, Hague, Virginia.

Remains may be viewed from 4PM until 7PM on Friday, December 1 in the chapel of the WELDON-FISHER FUNERAL HOME, and from 11AM until service time on Saturday, December 2 at Westmoreland High School.

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