Hazel Marie Tate

She had a hard life, and she made the best of what she had. She raised four kids alone in a safer world, where kids could ride bikes across town and play through out the neighborhood without fear. After dark she would say, “Don't go past the sound of my voice calling you inside.” She loved animals and almost always had a pet. She could be harsh and strong-willed, but she was also kind. She taught her children to pitch in and help, to cook, clean, take care of each other, and stick together.

She taught what it meant to develop character. Through hard times she would say, “we just have to keep holding on and this too will pass.” Through hard working conditions, her advice was, “Don’t let anyone run you off. Work around the hen peckers and ignore the gossiping clicks. You are strong you can push through anything.”

Every spring, she planted vegetable gardens and flower gardens. She loved passing on her gardening knowledge to her family. She loved to be outside, but also loved to sit inside and crochet. Over her lifetime, she crocheted several baby and adult blankets, bed covers, and shawls. When she wasn’t working in her yard, she was inside creating beautiful quilts and crocheted items for friends and family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Winfred Baltimore, Woodie Baltimore, and Wilburn Baltimore, one son, Keith Tate, one grandson, Lonnie Finch, and one daughter-in-law, Anita Tate. She is survived by brother Randall Baltimore (Sherry), sister Mary Robertson, sister Mildred Hardey, sister Jewell (Wayne), son Kevin Tate, daughter Karen Helser (Brian), daughter Kathy Heatherly (Steve), grandchildren Nathan Johnson (Ashley), Jason Byrne (Kandice), Austin Tate (Lindsey), Justin Finch (Susan), Nicole Cagle (Zac), Brian Tate, and Cameron Andrews, great-grandchildren Addison Donofrio, Braxston Cagle, Jayce Cagle, Sarah Finch, Jacob Russell, Charlie Glasz, Ella Finch, April Tate, Grayson Byrne, Abagail Byrne, Brittanie Jones (John), Uly Johnson, Austin Johnson, Emily Weldon, Skylar Price, Presley Johnson, and Charlotte Helser.

She raised her family to love God and follow Christ, and she leaves us knowing her spirit is in heaven with the Lord where her body is made new again. In God’s timing, we will all be joined together with all our loved ones in heaven. Rest in peace. You will be missed. We will always love you, and in time, we will see you again.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 11, 2024 from 1:00pm until 2:00pm, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00pm at Vallhalla Funeral Home, 698 Winchester Road NE, Huntsville, AL 35811. Hazel will be laid to rest at Maple Hill Cemetery.