Lillie 'Irene' Tate

Lillie Irene Tate, daughter of the late Ben and Ida (Raney) Grimes, was born December 10, 1916, in Wright County, Missouri, and passed away October 19, 2015, in Cabool, Missouri. She was 98 years, 10 months, and 9 days of age.
Irene was raised in the Grimes and Owens communities of Wright County. Her grandparents owned and operated Grimes Mill and they also had an apple orchard. She enjoyed spending time there and helping with whatever needed done.
As she grew older, Irene started courting a handsome young man named Virgil, who would ride a white horse to come see her. They soon fell in love and would begin a life together. Irene was united in marriage to Virgil E. Tate on November 30, 1935 in Graff, Missouri. Ten Children were born to this union.
Irene accepted Jesus as her Savior at an early age at the Green Mountain Church. At that time, her family lived in the Astoria community and Irene would walk to Green Mountain to attend church services. Later in life Irene and Virgil became charter members of the Hopewell Free Will Baptist Church, where she also served as treasurer for many years. She attended many other churches throughout her life, including Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church. She also liked listening to gospel music and attending singings. Irene remained faithful to God.
Irene was a loving woman with a kind heart. She was an independent woman who worked hard at whatever tasks the day held. Irene worked at HD Lees for about 7 years, but was a devoted homemaker for her family. She was always dressed well and looked very pretty. Irene was a great cook who made unforgettable homemade biscuits. Irene was a good seamstress and enjoyed embroidery. She also loved family gatherings and always looked forward to spending time with family and friends.
Besides her parents, Irene was preceded in death by her husband: Virgil E. Tate; daughter: Verna Ruth Tate; four brothers: Harold, Earl, Ralph, and Claude Grimes; and by one sister: Mary Ellen Wood.
She is survived by four sons: Gilbert Tate of Choctaw, OK, Delbert Tate and wife, Brenda, of Mtn. Grove, Missouri, Nolan Tate and wife, Ellen, of Cabool, Missouri, and Dwaine Tate and wife, Kathy, of Norwood, Missouri; five daughters: Lillie Campbell and husband, Elvin, of Kansas City, Missouri, Erma Campbell and husband, Clifford, of Bucyrus, Missouri, Louise Sponsler and husband, Hubert, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Della Rumfelt and husband, Arles, of Norwood, Missouri, and Anita Hurley and husband, Jim, of Mtn. Grove, Missouri; twenty-three grandchildren; forty-seven great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends who will dearly miss her.


Visitation: Tuesday, October 20, 2015, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home.

Funeral Services: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home.

Burial: Hopewell Cemetery