Johnny "Coach" Tate

Johnny "Coach" Tate, 70 of Pineburr Ave. SE, Valdese, NC was called home to glory on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at Valdese General Hospital after a brief illness. Coach was the son of the late Samuel Alexander Tate and Louise Caldwell Tate Eddington. He was a member of Harvest Praise Church. He retired from Drexel Heritage after 44 years. He coached recreational league basketball and football in Drexel for over 35 years.Mr. Tate is survived by his son, John Thomas Tate, Jr. of Cary, NC; daughters, Phrantceena T. Thate of Charlotte, NC, Justina A. Tate of Morganton, and Rosina Tate Laney and husband, Shannon, of Apex, NC; his fiancée, Tami Grady, of the home; grandchildren, Tara Pratt and husband, Jason, Alex Bryan, Jami Bryan, Seth Laney, and Sean Laney; a great-grandchild, Grace Camryn Pratt; brothers, Samuel A. Tate, Sr. and Cliff Edington, Jr.; sisters, Doris Cameron Smith, Melodee Leyshon, and Sharon Lytle; Tami’s children and grandson, Justin Crump, Julie Crump, and Jillian Grady and grandson, Dalton Jack Smith; and a host of nephews and nieces.The funeral will be held at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, May 1, 2010 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Sydnor Thompson, III and Pastor Barry Camp officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:30 p.m. Friday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes before the funeral. A Coach Johnny Tate Athletic Youth Foundation Trust has been established. If you would like to make a memorial contribution, please contact Mrs. Jeanie Fusco, Trustee, at 6130 Sugar Loaf Road, Connelly Springs, NC 28612.