Ceroy Clyde Pate,
Ceroy Pate, Obituary
Public viewing and visitation hours for Mr. Pate will be observed on Friday, August 24, 2012 between the hours of 12:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
Mr. Pate will lie in State at the church one hour prior to funeral services. Funeral Services for Mr. Pate will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 11:00 O’Clock AM at the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 653 County Road 667, Roanoke, Alabama. The Reverend Timothy Huguley, Pastor along with Reverend Elijah Jackson, Jr., will co-officiate.
Burial will follow in the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery, 653 County Road 667, Roanoke, Alabama, immediately after the service.
Grandsons will serve as Pallbearers
THE FAMILY REQUESTS THAT IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, GENEROUS DONATIONS BE MADE TO THE MACEDONIA MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH IN ROANOKE, ALABAMA.
THE OBITUARY
” For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ” (Luke 12:34)
It is hard to condense 93 years into a typewritten page and call it an obituary, especially when that life was so full, and spread so far and wide between, home, family, church, school and nation.
Today, we pause to honor a mighty tree among us… our father and grandfather, Ceroy Clyde Pate, who – while humble – stood tall and strong for more than 93 years. On Monday, August 20, 2012, the tree fell. And the fallen tree is what summons us to this appointed time and place to honor this great soldier.
Ceroy Clyde Pate was a colorful man who lived a colorful, exciting life. He was born on the old “Baily Place” in Randolph County, Alabama, February 4, 1919 to Miss Mittis Pate (later Mittis Pate Green).
Growing up, his grandfather Green Pate was the one who truly endeared himself to young Ceroy, and this is the man he came to know as “father”.
As a youngster, he learned how to plow, plant and harvest crops. He helped take care of livestock and poultry. He did this work for six years while in the employ of Mr. M.L. Bennet.
On August 10, 1942, at age 23, he enlisted in the United States Military, U.S. Army Air Corp. He served our grateful nation admirably during World War II earning the rank of Sergeant. After the completion of a 30-month tour of duty, he was honorably discharged from the military service on November 7, 1945. He returned home to his farming roots in Roanoke, where he continued to farm for the remainder of his life.
Aside from farming, he also worked in the textile industry as a custodian, beginning with Calloway Mills in LaGrange, and then returning to his beloved Randolph County, where he worked at both Wehadkee Yarn Mills in Rock Mills, and still later Handley Textile Mills in Roanoke. Truly he must have been touched by the hand of God, for he was afforded a rare opportunity to work in the textile industry when few (if any) blacks were allowed to hold these coveted positions.
The need for love and human companionship persisted throughout the days of his life. Early in life, he wed the former Ethel Blanche. Their union gave rise to two children. He later united in marriage with the late Mrs. Naomi Trammell Pate, and they enjoyed many happy years which included raising their large family of boys and girls, including the two children from the former marriage. This union ended tragically when Mrs. Pate was involved in an auto accident. He then married the former Mrs. Agnes Heard Boddie Pate with whom he d several years of wedded bliss until her death on April 14, 2001. After Mrs. Agnes Pate’s death, he found a new companion, and honored her by making her the fourth Mrs. Pate. Now, even further into his senior years he enjoyed several more years of happiness with Mrs. Ethel Pierson Worthy Pate. The late Mrs. Ethel Pate preceded him in death.
Perhaps one of the greatest community honors he received during his lifetime was mention in the publication entitled “Behind These Silent Walls: The Tradition and Legacy of the Randolph County Training School (1919-1970),” a dvd documentary and book, that chronicled the 51-year history of the Randolph County Training School, which operated from 1919 to 1970 under the doctrine of “Separate But Equal.” In this publication, written by Dr. Alvin Thornton, Lonnie Thornton, Earnestine Thornton and Gene Thornton, Mr. Ceroy Clyde Pate is remembered and revered as one of those who “braved bad weather, and muddy and dangerous roads to make sure RCTS students arrived at school safely.” (p.48). For more than 40 years, Mr. Pate was a vital link in the chain of Education for African American youngsters, who honored
him and considered him one of our community fathers.
Finally, we honor him as a exemplary Christian man… a life-long member of the Macedonia Baptist Church, where he served as a Trustee, Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, Treasurer and BACKBONE of the church. He was a fine example of the scripture, ” For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. “ (Luke 12:34). For there can be no doubt where his heart was… Macedonia. He never minded giving to the Church when the church was in need. Sometimes even going so far as to sell a cow, or liquidate other resources, to rescue the Church, when needed. Even well into his senior years he served tirelessly… Just like a tree planted by the rivers of water, “steadfast, unmovable always abounding in the word of the Lord.”
Ceroy Clyde Pate was preceded in death by his son, Ceroy Pate, and more recently, his daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Pate Hishida.
As we celebrate the many cherished moments of our lives together, we his family will remember with pride the life and times of our father and grandfather: We are: his three (3) sons: Mr. Herman Pate Winston (Sharon) of Anniston, Alabama, Mr. Ronald Pate (Kathy) and Mr. Travis Pate (Darnell) of Roanoke, Alabama; and seven (7) daughters: Miss Johnnie Rachel of Inglewood, California, Mrs. Carolyn Powell (Willie) of LaGrange, Georgia, Mrs. Mary Holmes (Glenn) of Houston, Texas, and Mrs. Mattie Brooks (Charles) of Roanoke, Alabama, Mrs. Merecia Milliner (Richard) of Weaver, Alabama, Mrs. Jessie Heflin (Levi) and Mrs.Virginia Johnson of Atlanta, Georgia; his sister, Mrs. Juanita Longshore of Columbus, Ohio; and sister-in-law, Mrs. Mildred Griffin of San Bernadino, California; Twenty-two (22) grandchildren; a large number of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
The Family will accept floral offerings for Mr. Pate…
However they request that in lieu of flowers, generous donations be made to
The Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Roanoke, Alabama
Any Floral Expressions may be delivered to Clark Memorial Funeral Service
through Friday, August 24, 2012 at 6:00 PM
After this date/time, please deliver any floral expressions to the church
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