Rev. Billy Joe Tate

Reverend Billy Joe Tate, 93, passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2020 surrounded by his family at his beloved home in Baytown, Texas. Billy Joe was born December 4, 1926 to Willie Lee and Francis Irene Tate in Decatur, Texas, the oldest of two children. After graduating from W.H. Adamson High School in 1945, he served in the U.S. Merchant Marines and U.S. Army in WWII. Billy Joe received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from East Texas Baptist University and His Masters of Divinity Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1955. He met his beautiful bride and wife of 64 years, Norma Jean, while attending South Beckley Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas and they were later married in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Over 45 years, Billy Joe pastored Texas churches in Hooks, Henderson, Garland, and Baytown; serving locally as pastor at Central Baptist Church and Northside Baptist Church. In 1988, he served as Associate Pastor at Memorial Baptist Church where he retired in 1997.

Billy Joe was one of God's chosen vessels to preach the Gospel and minister to people. He had a pastors heart and loved doing what God called him to do. Even after retirement, he was not happy unless he was ministering and fulfilling God's Will for his life.

Romans 10:15 - And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

Apart from his church ministries, Billy Joe enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He loved sports and music and supporting all of his family members who participated in all of these activities.

Billy Joe is survived by his wife, Norma Jean; sons, Joe (Robert Lawson) Tate, David Tate, and Kevin Tate; grandchildren, Barrett Tate, Faryn (Ben) Kinsey, Blaine (Sally) Tate, and Rachel (Matt) Taylor; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Billy Joe was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Beulah Newton.

A special thank you to the people at Traditions Palliative Hospice for their loving care and support during his final days; especially Debbie Nailon and Wendy Diamond. Also, the family would like to extend their sincere thanks to his caregiver, Irene Arboladura, for the love and special support she provided to Billy Joe.

Finally, the family wishes to acknowledge the excellent care Dr. Chris Hays has provided for numerous years.

Visitation for Billy Joe Tate will be from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Friday January 31, 2020 at Navarre Funeral Home on 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, February 1, 2020 in the chapel of Memorial Baptist Church on 600 W. Sterling Ave., Baytown, Texas 77520. Burial will follow in Earthman's Memory Gardens Cemetery on 8624 Garth Road, Baytown, Texas 77521. Memorial donations may be made to Memorial Baptist Church at 600 W. Sterling Ave., Baytown, Texas 77520.