Helen (Robbs) Tate

DATELINE:  KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA
 Helen Robbs Tate, age 91, died August 17, 2019 at Testa Hospice House surrounded by her loving family. A longtime resident of Kings Mountain, Mrs. Tate was born on November 10, 1927 and was the daughter of the late Howard Robbs and Bunah Humphries Robbs. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 68 years, James Oliver Tate; her four brothers: Buford Robbs, Robert Robbs, Lyman Robbs and Johnny Robbs; her sister Louise Robbs Foster; her son-in-law Gene Hardin; and her granddaughter, Allison Hardin.
Mrs. Tate is survived by her four children: daughter, Gloria Tate Hardin; son, Rev. James (Jim) Tate; daughter, Lynn Tate Yates and companion R.G. McGinnis; son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Karen Brown Tate. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Adrianne Hardin Smith (husband, Junior), Chad Yates (wife, Andrea), and Jessica Tate; five great-grandchildren: Austin Smith and Zachary Smith (wife, Amanda); Caleb, Addie and Hannah Yates; and two great-great-grandchildren Emma and Samuel Smith. She is survived by two sisters, Faye Tate (husband, Vernon) of Charlotte and Jewel Warlick, also of Charlotte, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
Helen grew up as the third child in a family of eight children. She was kind, generous and hardworking throughout her life. She assumed a lot of responsibility for her younger siblings at a young age but managed to get her work done and still have fun and adventure with her older sister Louise and her brothers, She excelled in school and was a member of the Kings Mountain High School class of 1947. It was in high school that she met the love of her life, Oliver Tate. High school sweethearts, they married at just 20 years of age and settled in Kings Mountain following Oliver's United States Air Force tour of duty. It was here where they built a life and raised a family. Together they lived a great love story filled with caring and devotion.
Helen was a wonderful mom. She was devoted to her children and treasured her time with them. She also adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and took great pride in all of the accomplishments. A great cook- especially known for her homemade biscuits and banana pudding- she was a warm and welcoming hostess to family and friends.
Church and faith were very important to Helen. Her faith was clearly visible in the way she lived her everyday life. She was a longtime active member of First Baptist Church where she and Oliver loved singing in the choir and attending Sunday school and worship. Before thier declining health, they were active in adult fellowship and enjoyed participating in beach trips and dinners out with church friends.
Helen's life was one extremely well lived. Her wonderful impact on her family will be everlasting. The loss of her earthly presence leaves an unfillable void but we are grateful and blessed to have had her in our lives.
A funeral service to honor her life will be held on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 1:00 PM at First Baptist Church, Kings Mountain. The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 20, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Harris Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.harrisfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to testa Hospice House, Kings Mountain, NC. Committal at Mountain Rest.

GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM
ARRANGEMENTS:  HARRIS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA
 

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