Robert Harold Tate

Anniston - Funeral services for Robert Harold "Hal" Tate, 78, of Anniston, will be 1 p.m. Friday, December 23, 2011, at Gray Brown-Service Chapel with the Rev. Keith Merritt officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Friday from 12 - 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Tate died Tuesday, December 20, 2011, at RMC.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Edna Ford Tate, of Anniston; four daughters, Lynda Tate Harper (Dennis), of Weaver, Glynda Tate Holden (Dennis), of Ohatchee, Wanda Tate, of Weaver and Bonnie Tate Fallin, of Corydon, Ind.; sister, Fay Hill, of Alpine; six grandchildren, Becky Holden Belyeu (Shane), of Arab, Johnny Holden (Kristie Crocker), of Ohatchee, Eric Harper (Jenifer), of Weaver, Amanda Harper, of Tokyo, Japan, Molly Fallin and Hannah Fallin, both of Corydon, Ind.; four great-grandchildren, Dalton and Brandon Belyeu, of Arab and Jonathon and Justin Crocker, of Ohatchee. Mr. Tate is preceded in death by his parents Farrish and Lavada Tate; grandson, Tony Gannon; four brothers, David, Joe, Forrest, and Bill Tate; three sisters, Effie Easterwood, Louise Groves and Rita Ingram.

Pallbearers will be family and friends.

Hal was born in Anniston on April 30, 1933. As a young man, he was employed by several highway construction firms as a heavy equipment operator. He was responsible for most of the finish grade work on most of the highways in the northeast Alabama area. Later he bought his own equipment and used his expertise for over 30 years building lakes and clearing property in Calhoun and surrounding counties. Health issues forced his early retirement, but after a period of recovery he went back to work for a local business until his eventual permanent retirement in 1997. He was active member of AA (Alcoholic Anonymous) in Piedmont. Hal was a beloved husband, daddy and granddaddy. He loved his family and will be truly missed.