Joan Pate
Age - 92
November 10, 2023
Martha Joan Holland Pate, a resident of Lowndesboro, AL, died on November 7, 2023, at her home after reaching the age of 92. She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Harold Edward Pate, and one granddaughter, Dalta Garrett, along with two brothers, Chuck and Steve Babcock, and two sisters, Sylvia Moore and Rachel Griffith. She is survived by her five children - Hal Pate, Rick (Julie) Pate, Vivian (Bill) Garrett, Martha (Dave) Wirgau, and Gail (Ken) Jackson. She has twenty-four grandchildren: Trent (Kelly), Brandon, Richard, James, Joan (Matt), Ruth (Tim), Deborah (Billy), Dalta, Sabrina (Stephen), Sarah (Joe), Rebekah, Rachel (BJ), Anna (Andrew), David, Lydia (Leander), Leah (Cliff), Jonathan, Benjamin, Kenneth (Laura), Stephen (Samantha), Abby (Josue), Daniel, Elizabeth (Grant), and Peter (Emily). She also has 20 great-grandchildren with three more on the way. She is survived by three sisters-in-law; Dot Debardeleben, Debbie Babcock and Lynn Babcock; and one brother and sister-in-law, Rodney and Rosa Holland.
Martha Joan Holland was born to Edna Vivian Stewart Holland and Horace Clinton Holland. After growing up in Anniston, she left to attend Auburn University. In only three years, she was an Auburn University graduate of the School of Business. Following her marriage to Harold Pate and his graduation from Auburn University (which they both loved), they moved to Lowndes County. During her lifetime, she was active in the community, leading Girl Scouts troops and always engaged in political contests, even running for the Alabama House of Representative in 1966 as a Republican. Along with raising her children and volunteering in the community, Joan assisted in the running of Pate Charolais Ranch. She became president of the Alabama Cattlewomen's Association (1982) and was inducted into their Hall of Honor. Throughout her life, she was an active member of the Lowndesboro Baptist Church, WMU, and Lowndesboro Heritage Society.
As a personal note to all these facts, she was an incredibly loving woman who will be missed by all who knew her. She was exceptional in her love and kindness to everyone, placing her faith solely in Jesus Christ. She and Harold had an unbelievably wonderful life. For decades she sent out hundreds of Christmas cards with pictures of as many family members as she could get together before in her later years, sending encouraging birthdays cards to others. While she is in a better place, Joan will be missed. What a legacy she leaves to all her family and friends!
Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p. m. at the home of Rick and Julie Pate (101 S. Broad Street Lowndesboro, AL 36752) on Friday, November 17. The Funeral Service will be at 2:00 p. m. on Saturday, November 18, at the Lowndesboro Baptist Church, with the graveside service following at Oakview Cemetery in Lowndesboro. Grandsons will be honored to serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Lowndesboro Baptist Church (P. O. Box 219 Lowndesboro, AL 36752).
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. ridoutsprattvillechapel. com for the Pate family.Show more
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
