The Greatest Man I Ever Knew

IN MEMORY

JUDSON CARL TATE

1919-2013

One of the Greatest men I ever knew besides my Uncle Lacy., was CARL TATE...Mr. Carl to me.

Here in the south, when we know & love someone at least a generation older we feel a bit uncomfortable calling that person by just their first name.  Saying Mr. or Mrs Last Name of choice seems too formal so we've come up with a uniquely southern tradition of saying Mr. Carl or Ms. (pronounced MISS whether married or not)Evelyn.  If we attend church  together, we will say Bro. (Brother) Carl.  

When I moved from West Virginia, this custom took be by surprise and it took some time getting used to it.  However, over time the terms became familiar and I realized I was truly "southernized."  In fact, I'm so used to the terminology, I am confused at the quizzical looks I get when I go back north!!

Back in 1977, Mr. Carl and Ms. Evelyn saw a lonely homesick young mother of 24 ....this young woman moved 600 miles away from home to a state where everything looked different, spoke differently,  ate differently, thought differently, and acted differently.  To say I suffered culture shock would be the understatement of the last century.  But, Carl Tate, put his long arms around this homesick young woman and told her HE was going to be her Alabama Daddy.  Mr. Carl was faithful to his promise and I grew to love him like a father.

Apr. 3, 1919 - Jan. 7, 2013
Judson Carl Tate
Judson Carl Tate, 93, of Huntsville, passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2013. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife Evelyn of 68 years; his son, Ray and daughter Jan and husband Herbert Harvill. He loved and adored his grandchildren, Russ (Virginia), Will and Carrie, Tate and Elizabeth; and great-grandchildren, Whitney, Reid and Grissom; his brother, Homer and wife Jeanette; two sisters, Mildred Phillips and Katie Brown; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and many great friends. He proudly served his country in World War II as a tailgunner on a B-24 Liberator, flying on 51 missions over Europe. His name is in the Madison County Hall of Heroes and he is also a member of the Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame as recognized for his basketball skills. He most enjoyed singing about his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He contined to sing until the end of his earthly life.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 9th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Flint River Baptist Church. A celebration of his life will be held at the church on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. with Dr. Sammy Gilbreath and Dr. Steve Bell officiating. Burial will follow at Flint River Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Flint River Baptist Church Music Department. Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Mr. Carl lived his faith, walked it, talked it, and sang it!  He was the music director at Flint River Baptist Church for 50 yrs.  I don't think I ever heard him sing without a tear rolling down those sun  weathered cheeks simply because the words to those great Old Hymns of old were a living, breathing promise from God to him personally.  I saw in Mr. Carl what it meant to "Abide in Jesus"

He knew how to live life to the fullest from the humblest of beginnings as the son of southern sharecroppers, to one of the premier Basketball players in the State, to a tail-gunner in WWII.  He often shared his stories, jokes, daily observations which made you either laugh, cry, or be inspired.

Carl Tate was and IS my Hero.  He is singing "I Sing Because..." with the angels and "He Touched Me" with his earthly Father, Mr. Will Tate.

  I will miss you for awhile but will see you soon because you showed me how to live as Christ.

GOD SPEED, Mr. Carl

I Love You

Your West Virginia Adopted Daughter

Jane Ellen