Kathleen Gambill Tate, 93, of Huntsville passed from this life September 20, 2020. She was born in Brookland, Arkansas February 1, 1927 to Charles Frederick Gambill and Sarah Ethel Shelby Gambill. She was married for 59 years to the “love of her life”, the late Dr. Eugene Louis Tate.
Her spirit was kind but firm, generous, sincere, strong-willed, and steadfast. A natural leader and expert delegator, she had a heart for serving her Savior, family, friends, and many others.
An adept office manager for Dr. Tate’s Otolaryngology office for 50 plus years, she managed staff, kept immaculate books, was a whiz on her typewriter, and gave the best shots. Her fortitude was evident during her personal battle with colon cancer including radiation and chemotherapy, during which she rarely missed a day at the office. All the while, she also ran a bustling household and meticulously tended the garden.
Over the years, she prepared food for thousands of people working with charitable organizations, an inner-city tutoring program, and many meals with her church home, Mayfair Church of Christ, including the legendary “All Church Picnics.”
She appreciated travel and was able to experience five continents, learning about different cultures and admiring the wondrous natural beauty of the planet. She also saw opportunities to help others abroad, participating in many mission trips and teaching ladies Bible classes in South Africa. For over 20 years, she spearheaded medical mission trips to Belize, C.A., and spent countless hours collecting and organizing donated supplies, coordinating medical staff, and planning every year.
The garden was her sanctuary; an edible retreat. She loved riding her John Deere “Gator” to the garden and picking fresh produce to enjoy. Each year, the harvest was carefully preserved and she was an expert at canning, freezing, and pickling. The kitchen was the heart of her home, and her Belgian waffles, peanut brittle, squash balls and many other specialties will be passed on for generations.
At the end of a long day, and in her final days, the porch swing was her respite- whether sunshine or rain, beautiful birds flitting about, or her grandchildren playing- there was always something outside to appreciate.
Adored by her family and friends, yet everyone knew it was best if they just did what she told them to. She was a force- Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Friend, Servant- and she leaves a legacy behind with her family and the many other lives she immeasurably blessed.
She has been welcomed into heaven with open arms by Jesus, her husband Eugene, her son Max Alan Tate, and many beloved. We will miss her dearly, until we meet again.
Survivors include: Ginger Tate Gober (James) of Huntsville, Tony Eugene Tate (Anita) of Alpharetta, GA, Kerry Lee Tate (Sandra) of Tallahassee, FL, and Danny Louis Tate of Pelham, AL; sister, Louise Mellberg (Dave) of Huntsville; and grandchildren, Jenny Gober McDaniel, Jamie Lynn Gober, Jordan Eugene Gober (Megan), Kelsey Tate Willis (Matt), Jessica Leigh Tate, Ansley Nolena Tate, Alayna Kathleen Tate and Isabella Taylor Tate.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 26th with Gary Bradley officiating. There will be a private family graveside service.
There will be no visitation and, due to Covid restrictions, the doors will open at 10:15 a.m. for entry for the funeral. The family has asked that if you have a story or memory to share with the family, please bring that on a card that will be collected in our foyer area.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Agape of North Alabama,103 Mountain Brook Blvd, Madison, AL 35758, Inner-City Church of Christ, 309 Seminole Drive, Huntsville 35805, or Mayfair’s Belize Medical Mission with checks to Mayfair designated for Belize, 1095 Carl T. Jones S.E., Huntsville, AL, 35802.
