Florida Mae Tate

She was taken to Arizona and eventually to Ohio, at an early age. She attended public school in Arizona, and Cleveland, Ohio; graduating from high school, in January, 1947, from Central H.S. in Cleveland, OH. Florida attended Cuyahoga Community College for a short period of time. She later attended Clarks School of Dressmaking & Design. She made and modeled her clothing throughout the city.

She later met and married Lloyd Tate on July 8, 1950 and then delighted in making clothing for him and their daughter, Loretta, the one child born to their holy union. They were blessed to celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary in 2016. She accepted the Lord at an early age while attending Mt Olivet Church of God in Christ in Cleveland, OH. “Mother Tate” later joined and faithfully served at Christian Tabernacle Church in Cleveland, OH. She sang in the choir and participated in other various capacities.

She was beloved by one and all, and never met “a stranger.”

General Motors was her employer in Cleveland, OH for well over 25 years. She was an outstanding employee; who also remained active in the UAW (her union) long after retirement. She loved people and was very close to her family, and extended family.

Her favorite hobbies were: sewing, cooking, (especially baking) and bowling. At her church’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner, there was never anything but a few crumbs left on the cake plate where “Mother Tate’s” homemade pound cake once stood delectable, ultralight and super-tall.

She moved to Hot Springs, AR in 1980, and became a faithful member of Immanuel CFC for many years which she attended regularly until the drastic decline of her health.

Florida was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters: Christine Newton and Nadine Newton, one brother: Andrew Jackson Thrower.

Left to cherish her loving memories are: her loving husband Lloyd, two daughters: Elteaser (Sylvester) Williams, of Rockford, IL., and Loretta Sutton of Hot Springs, AR, special niece: Patricia Quarles of San Diego, CA., “adopted” daughter: Charlene Benton, of Houston, TX, two granddaughters: Tammy Hart, of Lawndale, CA and Althea Lynn (Guy) Leslie of Rockford, IL. A grandson: Brock Williams of Rockford, IL, Great grandson: Davon Manning of Riverside, CA., 106 year old Aunt Maizie Russell of Cleveland, OH and a host of other great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.