Wilburn "Tooter" Tate

Wilburn “Tooter” Tate, 72 of Sugar Valley, passed away Saturday, May 12, 2012 in Gordon Hospital after an extended illness. Tooter was born on May 23, 1939 in Gordon County. He was the son of Walter and Beatrice Silvers Tate. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers Tommy and Dodge Tate of Sugar Valley. Survivors include his wife of 47 years Frances Holt Tate of Sugar Valley, two sons, Andy and his wife Kelly Tate and Steve and his wife Pat Tate all of Sugar Valley. Also survived by two brothers Donald Tate and his wife Laverne of Chatsworth, one brother-in-law William Max Holt of Calhoun, two sisters, Marthalene Talley and her husband Vernon of Calhoun, Margie West and her late husband Max of Sugar Valley and five grandchildren Dustin Bates, Makenzie Hunt, Jaden, Addison and Haven Tate of Sugar Valley. Active pallbearers will include Donnie Tate, John Tate, Mark Tate, Kevin Talley, Randall Talley and Keith Van Dyke. Honorary pallbearers will include Hugh Don Tate, Gary West, Leroy Pack, Shane McDougal, Bob Rollins, Tim Van Dyke, Anthony Van Dyke, Mark Van Dyke, Jimmy Reece, Blake Holbert, Wesley Crowder and Billy West. Music will be conducted by Cindy Banks and Alice Reece. Funeral Services will be conducted on Tuesday, May 15th at 2pm from the Chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with the Reverend Bill Dowdy and the Reverend Dwaine Shadix officiating. The burial will take place at Damascus Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Thomas Funeral Home on Monday, May 14th from 4 to 7pm. You may leave the Tate family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com Thomas Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Wilburn “Tooter” Tate.