Voncille L Tate

Born in Amarillo,Texas February 27, 1941 to Jessie and Ada Lunsford.

Graduated in 1959, at Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, TX. Worked as a receiving bookkeeper for Albertsons 35 years. She was a member of Comanche Trail Church of Christ.

Voncille loved to travel. Family members live in many states and she found joy visiting family but also the trip to get there. Some of her favorite experiences with her brother DS and wife Linda were crabbing on Pacific Ocean. Watching Linda make bread and then consuming it hot and freshly baked. She also went on a special trip to Canada with DS and Linda. Linda was Voncille's sister in law, but they considered themselves sisters. Many years ago she took a trip with her brother Berl. She often talked about their trip and how she saw the world outside of Amarillo. She made many trips to Joplin to visit Jeff, Craig and Andrew. When Heather came into the family, it made her visits with them even more special. She talked about eating at Granny Shaffers restaurant in Joplin and Golden Corral. She enjoyed going to movies when she visited. On her Joplin visits she always loaded up on cinnamon at a local spice store where she enjoyed shopping. Jeff and his family visited her in Amarillo many times and she enjoyed their time together. David and April took her many places. She always talked about the Hot Air Balloon Festival in New Mexico. They brought the world of the great outdoors to her – she even enjoyed fishing. She attended many scouting events for Kevin and Brandon. She enjoyed eating out with them on Sunday and all the holiday meals. Kiel and Olivia took her to a “fancy restaurant” and then to the Symphony in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana. She always talked about that experience and how it made her feel special. Then they topped that experience by giving her a Great Grandchild (Ozzy). She visited and babysat several times and enjoyed every minute. Great Grandchild number two (Lewis) arrived and the family visited her after she entered the nursing home. Their visit meant so much to her.

Troy and Jo took her along on many road trips. Jo and Voncille would drop Troy off with his golf buddies and then head out for their own adventures. There were trips to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, North Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee state parks. After Troy and Jo moved to Michigan, she love going to Friday night outside concerts on the bluff in St Joseph. Watching the sunset from the bluff would often bring tears to her eyes – each night a trumpet plays Taps. There were times Troy’s job required travel – she was always happy to tag along and had many stories to tell after each trip. Four of her favorite places were: Idaho Falls, Idaho, Mall of America in Minnesota, Hilton Hotel in downtown Chicago and Opryland Hotel in Nashville. She was Jo's mother-in-law, but Jo considered her to be a friend too.

All of us will remember times shared with her and we will miss her.

Survived by:3 Children:Troy Tate (Jo) St Joseph, MI, Jeff Tate (Heather) Joplin, MO, April Wise (David) Amarillo, Tx. 6 Grandchildren; Olivia Martin (Kiel) Ft Wayne, IN, Craig Tate Joplin, MO, Andrew Tate Joplin, MO, Victoria Tate Joplin, MO, Kevin Wise Amarillo, Tx, Brandon Wise Amarillo, TX, 3 Great Grandchildren,Ozzy Martin Ft Wayne, IN, Lewis Martin Ft Wayne, IN, Addilyn Stuber Joplin, MO

2 Siblings; DS Lunsford (Linda) Westport, WA, Ruby Hannum Center, Tx.

Preceded in death by her parents; Jessie Berl Lunsford passing in 1987, Ada Vineta Lunsford passing in 2004, brothers; Berl Lunsford and wife Loretta of Midland, Texas, and Travis Lunsford and wife Charlotte of Wylie, Texas.