Ruth T. Pate

CORNELIA RUTH TILLERY PATE, age 101, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2017, in Birmingham, Alabama. Ruth was a resident of St. Martin’s in the Pines, and formerly of Mountain Brook, Alabama. Ruth was a true southern lady, thoughtful and kind to everyone she met, and she will be missed by all whose lives she touched.

Aunt Ruth was born on June 12, 1915, in Selma, Alabama, later moving to Birmingham. She graduated from Phillips High School in 1932. She is predeceased by her husband of 44 years, Alexander Chisholm Pate and their only son, William Alex Pate. She is also predeceased by her parents, John Richard Tillery and Wanda Presley Tillery, her sisters Catherine Lucille Tillery and Sadie Inez Tillery Lyerly.

Ruth and Alec were married on April 29, 1950, and were blessed with their son, Bill , on May 17, 1955. Ruth’s sister Madelyn married Ernest Pate, the brother of her husband Alec. This close family tie enabled the Pate family to enjoy many years together, many of which were spent at their lake homes in Guntersville, Alabama. She was an avid Auburn fan and enjoyed many Auburn football games, attending games from the early 1950’s until the mid 1990’s. She also loved the Atlanta Braves and rarely missed a televised game. She was an extremely talented lady, and loved to play the piano. She also loved to sew, knit and crochet, making beautiful keepsakes for many of her family and friends. She crocheted countless shawls for cancer patients at UAB Hospital. Ruth enjoyed travelling and ventured on numerous trips with her friends and church. She was an elegant hostess, and loved hosting her annual ladies’ Christmas luncheon for her family and close friends. Ruth was a member of Cathedral Church of the Advent, St. Mary’s Guild, and The Club, Birmingham, Alabama.

Survivors include her sister, Madelyn Tillery Pate, Opelika, Alabama, her nephews and their wives: Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Lyerly (Deanna), Dr. and Mrs. Richard Lyerly (Tina), Mr. and Mrs. Kerry Pate (Pamela), Mr. and Mrs. Steve Pate (Anita), Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Pate (Leigh), Lt. Col. and Mrs. Robert Pate (ret)(Kari), as well as their children Rhett Lyerly, Melanie Lyerly Riley, Michael Lyerly, Jon Pate, Anna Pate Vanderbleek, Lindsey Pate Warren, Leah Pate Hartman, Elizabeth Pate, Steven Pate, Jr., Carson Pate, Davis Pate, their spouses and children. She is also survived by many great-nieces and nephews, and the descendants of Edward Joseph Pate and Mary Pate Shelburne, as well as her special friends, Maureen and Joe Smith.

A graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery on Saturday, January 21, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Rev. Canon R. Craig Smalley. Honorary pall bearers include: Kerry Pate, Steve Pate, Robert Pate, Jon Pate, Steven Pate, Davis Pate and Jared Vanderbleek.