Coy Vernon Tate, age 85, passed on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at Greystone Healthcare Center in Blountville, TN. Vernon was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII and was a member of Bristol VFW Post 6975. Mr. Tate drove a truck for many years for the Teamster's Union. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Stuart Tate and Elizabeth Gray Tate; wife Eleanor Gray Tate; and brother Curtis Tate.
He is survived by three sons, Jack (Naomi) Tate of Abingdon, VA; Michael Tate of Abingdon, VA; and Phillip (Ginger) Tate of Bristol, VA; daughter, Delores Darlene Tate Carter of Bristol, VA; brother, Bobby (Connie) Tate of Bristol, TN; sister, Helen Harless of Longwood, FL; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, January 24, 2013, at Forest Hills Memory Gardens with Pastor Scott Foster officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Virginia National Guard and Bristol VFW Post 6975. Pallbearers will be Curtis Tate, Nathan Tate, Blaine Tate, Billy Wise, James Bryant, Andy Sweeney, Bevan Sweeney, Jack Booher and Kelly Sweeney. Family and friends who wish to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at the cemetery by 1:00 P.M. Thursday.
Visitation with the family will be held from 11:30 A.M. 12:45 P.M. Thursday at the Forest Hills location of Farris Funeral Service.
Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com and signing the online guest registers.
The family of Mr. Tate is being cared for by Farris Cremation & Funeral Center, 19415 Lee Highway, Abingdon, VA 24210, (276) 623-2700.