Lillian T Tates

Lillian Tardy was born, April 7, 1925, on Fred Wood Farm in Robinson County to Josephine Sales and Willie Tardy. She was reared by Garfield and Savanna McCoy (Pa and Ma). Her great-great grand daddy was Theodore Tardy. Lillian Tardy attended Blackshire High School in Hearne Robinson County, Texas. She married Clinton Tates Sr. on July 21, 1940, to which this union lasted over 61 years and twelve children were born. Sister Lillian Tates was saved at the age of 16 and served under the divine leadership of the late Bishop H. W. Falls of New Zion Temple for 75 years.

Mother Tates was well known for her love of God and her family. She always boasted about her children and grand children, helping to rear and care for many of them when in need. Not only was she a financial support system for those in need, but an encourager, prayer warrior, counselor and friend to others. Mother Tates, in her younger years, took up various hobbies such as sewing, quilting, making hats, and fishing, both day and night. She also loved to take yearly trips to the COGIC Holy Convocation each November held in Memphis, Tennessee. While at home, Mother Tates collected cans, sheltered animals, and sat on her front porch working with her metal and wire always wanting to know “was anybody having church?”

Mother Lillian Lillie Mae Tardy Tates (Honey) leaves to cherish her memory, 10 Children: Catherine (Essie deceased) Joseph, Marilyn (Samuel) Taylor, Bishop Clinton (Ruby) Tates Jr., Bishop John (JoAnn) Tates, Bishop Charles (Gwendolyn) Tates, Winnie (Elder Alfred) Growe, Esther (Rev. Charles deceased) Harrison, Hester (Jerald) Roberson, Deacon Samuel (Mona) Tates, and Demetrius (Deacon Frank) Cottrell, one honorary daughter, Bettye Washington, God daughter, Evia Ruth Johnson, 30 grand children, 69 great grand children, 14 great-great grand children, three step-sisters: Barbara Fay (Herman deceased) Rhodes, Gladys Harbison of New Jersey, and Jeffery Lee Fuller of Clute, Texas, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by a loving devoted husband, Bishop Clinton Tates Sr. (2001), two sons: J.W. (1941) and Shirdie Tates (1976), her parents, Willie Tardy (1991) and Josephine Sales, three sisters: Winifred Johnson (2000), Gracie McCray (2012), and Marie Derry, one brother, Sam McCoy (2013), one grandson, Pastor Rickey Tates (2013), two great grandsons:

Joshua Harmon Jr. (2007) and Timothy Tyrone Thomas (2003), and her guardians, Uncle Garfield McCoy (1944) and Aunt Savanna McCoy (1945).