Gloria Patsy Tate

WEST COLUMBIA – Funeral services for Gloria “Patsy” Watts Tate, age 74, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at Laurel Baptist Church in West Columbia, SC with interment in Southland Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A viewing for friends and family will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, West Columbia Chapel. Patsy passed away peacefully at Lexington Medical Center on Saturday, June 9, 2012 surrounded by family members and those who loved her.

Born April 1, 1938 in Winnsboro, SC to the late Mr. Frank Wilson and Mrs. Clara Peake Wilson, Patsy is predeceased by her brothers, Thomas Wilson, Sydney Wilson, W. F. Wilson, Talmadge Wilson; her sisters, June Shirley and Lois Osieck and her husbands, Rudy Watts and Joe D. Tate. Patsy leaves behind a legacy of loving family members including sons, Rudy Watts of Lawrenceville, GA, Joel Watts of Leesville, SC and Troy Watts of Charleston, SC; daughters, Geloris Baxley of Gaston, SC and Wanda Lee of West Columbia, SC; three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is fondly remembered by her brothers, Archie Wilson of Currie, NC, Wayne Wilson of West Columbia, SC and sisters, Elva “Vimmins” Cooper of Winnsboro, SC and Audrey Moore of Lexington, SC along with a host of cousins, nephews, nieces; great-nephews and great-nieces.

Patsy truly loved life, and she touched the lives of all who knew her. She was an active member of the community and her church, Laurel Baptist. Her giving heart was evident in her selfless volunteer work at the Pine Ridge Seniors’ Center. Even with her limited income, she found a way to donate to organizations that helped veterans, the SPCA International and National Children’s Cancer Society. She exemplified the teachings of Christ by loving and accepting everyone she met; so many people not of her own issue simply called her “Mama”. The kindness of her soul came through her quick smile and twinkling eyes.

She will always be remembered as a loving mother and sister, a gracious wife, and a compassionate human being. The family respectfully suggests that memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, be made to Lexington County Meals on Wheels, 125 Parker Street, Lexington, SC 29072.