Thelma L. Pate's Obituary
Thelma Pate passed away peacefully at home in Dallas, Texas on November 17, 2024. She is now fully in the presence of Christ and no doubt having a joyful reunion with many family and friends who preceded her in passing from this life into eternity.
After graduating high school in Clayton, New Jersey where she was class valedictorian, Thelma attended Rutgers University on an academic scholarship where she received her bachelor of arts degree with majors in English, Speech-Drama and Education and a minor in French. While working as a full-time teacher and a mother of three kids she then received a master of arts in Speech-Drama and doctorate in Education both from East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas. Thelma later became the Director of Fine Arts for the Mesquite Independent School District.
Thelma had five siblings who have all preceded her in death: Mae Davis, Fred Layton Jr., Carolyn McFeeters, Betty Glass and Boyd Layton whom she grew up with in New Jersey.
Thelma married Gerald Pate November 1954 and had three children: Bruce, Keith and Karen Pate. She also had three grandchildren: Emily, married to Chris Burns, Jonathan and Allison Pate, one great grandson, Evan Burns and many nieces and nephews.
Thelma among other things will be remembered for the many students she affected during her years of teaching, her church community and the legacy of love she has left to her kids, grandkids, extended family and friends. Those who knew her for the person she was and the life she consistently lived admire her.
Thelma for health reasons was not able to participate in a local church for over the last decade of her life, but she attended through online worship every Sunday at New Hope First Baptist Church in the Austin area where her son, Keith is pastor. In lieu of flowers, you can donate to the, ‘I Love My Church’ fund at New Hope if you desire. You can donate in her honor in one of the following ways:
· Mail check to New Hope First Baptist Church, 200 W. New Hope Drive, Cedar Park, Texas 78613. Note on the memo line ‘I Love My Church’ in memory of Thelma Pate.
· Donate electronically through the New Hope First Baptist Church website, https://www.discovernewhope.com/give
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