James Samuel “Sam” Tate, age 86, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, at his home. He was born March 29, 1928, in Cherokee, Alabama and married Betty Kate Nichelson on March 25, 1955. He graduated as valedictorian of his class from Cherokee High School and served as master sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard where he served in Austria, Italy, and Germany. He was retired from Reynolds Alloy in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and was preceded in death by his parents, Ottis and Velma Tate, and brothers, Jessie and Horace B. Tate.
His family will receive friends Thursday, 11 a.m. to noon at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will follow in the funeral home chapel with Carolyn Brown and Steve Nicholson officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hester Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Betty Tate; daughters, Kayla Conley and husband, Emmett, and Darla Brown; grandchildren, Jordan and Erica Conley, Katie Brown, Carmen Fretwell, and Craig Conley; and great-grandchildren, Peyton Gargis and Logan Tate Conley.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to all.
The family expresses special thanks to Dr. Terrance T. Hart and staff of Muscle Shoals; to Gentiva Hospice of Florence, including Jessica Burns, RN, and Brittney Miller, hospice aide; and Kevin Arnold and the staff of Village Drugs of Muscle Shoals.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Hester Cumberland Presbyterian Church cemetery fund in care of Terry Malone at 6378 Hwy 247, Tuscumbia, AL 35674
