James Oliver Tate

HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, INC.

108 S. Piedmont Ave.

P.O. Box 639

Kings Mountain, NC 28086

(704) 739-2591 Fax (704) 739-7601

mthornburg@harrisfunerals.com

James Oliver Tate

Kings Mountain. James Oliver Tate, 88, a recent resident of White Oak Manor, died May 25, 2017 at Testa Family Hospice House surrounded by his loving family. A native of Kings Mountain, Mr. Tate was born on August 11, 1928 and was the son of the late Brooks Roosevelt and Leola Bridges Tate. He was preceded in death by his two brothers Gene Tate and Fred Tate and by his granddaughter Allison Hardin.

Mr. Tate is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years Helen Robbs Tate and his four children: daughter, Gloria Tate Hardin; son, Rev. James Tate; daughter Lynn Tate Yates and companion R.G. McGinnis; son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Karen Brown Tate. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Adriane Hardin Smith (husband, Junior), Chad Yates (wife, Andrea); and Jessica Tate; four great-grandchildren, Austin and Zachary and Amanda Smith; Caleb and Addie Yates; and one great-great-grandchild, Emma Rose Smith.

Oliver grew up in Kings Mountain and was a member of the Kings Mountain High School Class of 1947. He left school as a senior at age 18 and enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served with the US Training Command, first in Spokane, Washington and then for his last two years of duty in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After returning home from service, he attended textile school on the GI Bill and then went on to successfully complete a postal examination and become a US Postal worker. He worked at the Kings Mountain Post Office for 37 years before retiring, serving in his position with distinction. He served as both a city and a rural carrier over the years and made friends wherever he went. He was on a first name basis with almost all his customers and thrived on the interaction with them as he delivered their mail.

Oliver was devoted to his family and considered time with them his top priority. He delighted in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and loved to express his pride in them to all who would listen. He loved the frequent family dinners he and Helen hosted with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all in attendance. These were joyful occasions filled with good food, laughter and love and Oliver treasured them.

In addition, his greatest earthly love was the one he shared with his wife Helen. They were high school sweethearts and married when they were both just 20 years old. Early in their marriage, Helen traveled with him to Cheyenne, WY for a portion of his last USAF tour of duty and following that, they made their home in Kings Mountain where they built a life and raised their family. They truly lived a great love story filled with caring and devotion which will continue to sustain Helen as she grieves his loss.

During his lifetime, church was also very important to Oliver. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church where he loved singing in the choir and attending Sunday school and worship. Before his declining health interfered, he was active in the adult fellowship activities and he and Helen enjoyed beach trips and going out to dinner with church friends. Oliver was very outgoing and loved being with people. He was a great conversationalist, engaging friends and strangers alike with his genuine interest in them and his hearty, enthusiastic laugh. He was well read and very interested and concerned about local and world events.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 27, 2017 from Six to Eight pm at Harris Funeral Home, 108 S. Piedmont Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC 28086.

A funeral service to honor his life will be held on Sunday, May 28 at 3:00pm at First Baptist Church, 605 W. King St., Kings Mountain, NC 28086.