Mercer Janet Tate

MERCER JANET HOPSON TATE, 91, of Little Rock, passed away at her home early Friday, Oct. 11, 2013. Born May 12, 1922 in Fulton, Ark. Janet was the daughter of the late Dora Dean Adams and Mercer J. Hopson. She graduated in 1940 from Fulton High School, and later moved to Little Rock as a young woman to attend Little Rock Junior College, where she received an associate's degree in business. Soon after, she started her career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company and later AT&T, where she worked for 42 years, much of that time as a supervisor and comptroller in the accounting department. In Aug. of 1948, she married J.L. Tate, who was her soulmate for over 62 years, until his death in 2011. Janet was a devoted wife and loving mother who surrounded herself with many friends. Her drive to succeed in all facets of life was and is an inspiration to her family. She was a longtime member of Immanuel Baptist Church, where, for a number of years, she volunteered in the Vaught Media Ministry. She was also preceded in death by two sisters, Naomi Palmer and Clairette Garrett; and a son, Col. Stephen M. Tate, whose widow, Rebecca Curtis Tate, lives in Dayton, Ohio. Survivors include two sons, Byron Tate and his wife Pat Smith Tate of Pine Bluff, and Galen Tate of Bridgeport, Connecticut; and three grandchildren, Nathan Tate, Mary Kathryn Tate and Ethan Tate, all of New York City. Deepest gratitude and appreciation to our special friend and caregiver Charlene Davis and to Dr. Morgan Sauer of the St. Vincent Longevity Center, whose care and compassion were above reproach. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15 at Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford Road, with a funeral service to follow in the Chapel at 11 a.m. A private burial will be at Rest Hills Memorial Park in Sherwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Twice Blessed Ministry for homebound and healthcare members at Immanuel Baptist Church. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300. Online guestbook: www. rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.