Betty Jane Tate

Betty Jane Tate of Morristown passed away June 4, 2020 at her home.

She was born on December 20, 1927 in Mill Springs, Tennessee to Joe Ralph and Flossie Cox.

Mrs. Tate was a member of First United Methodist Church of Morristown, where she served as church hostess for nineteen years.  She also taught Sunday School, for a time, for intellectually disabled children.  She and her husband also had a scout troop for disabled children.

Betty grew up on her parent's farm in Mill Springs, and after completion of high school moved to Cleveland, Tennessee where she met her husband, Russell Homer Tate.  They were married on June 1, 1952. Russell was in the U.S. Army at that time, and during the course of his career they served at several U.S bases as well as a tour in Germany.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell Homer Tate,II; sons, Martin Russell Tate and Russell Homer Tate, III; parents, Joe Ralph and Flossie Cox of Mill Springs; brothers, John Bryan Cox, Wilford Cox, Joe Cox, Earl Cox, Jack Cox, Vincent Cox, Harold Cox,  Donald Cox, Reese Cox, and David Cox; sisters, Eleanor C. Tinsley, Patsy Dobkins, Malinda Chambers, and Sylvia Hatmaker.

She is survived by one daughter, Jane Lee Tate of Greeneville, Tennessee; her niece and caregiver, Denny Medlin; and many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly and were very special to her. She loved Jesus and her church, and her church family and friends were an important part of her life.  She was always doing for others and wanting to do more.

Betty’s Body will lie in state from 1 PM to 5 PM Saturday, June 6, 2020 in the East Chapel of Allen Funeral Home for anyone who would like to pay their respects.  A private service will be held afterwards, with Walter Weikel and Ellen Fisher officiating.  Friends may also pay their respects on Sunday, June 7, 2020, until 5PM.  Interment will be 11:30 AM, Monday, June 8, 2020 in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Cleveland, TN, with Raymond Clubb officiating.

In Lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to First United Methodist Church: 101 East First North Street, Morristown, TN 37814

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Betty Jane Tate, please visit our floral store.