Two Local Married Couples Pass Within Hours & Days
ROBERTSON COUNTY TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – After 32 years of marriage, Len and Freda Pate died within eleven hours of each other. Len going first, around 11:30 am Sunday, followed by his wife Freda around 10:30 that evening.
Also passing together this week, Marvin & Polly Smith, married for 69 years. Marvin would pass on Monday, his wife Polly on Friday.
It is said that couples will begin to look alike after years together and it’s not unheard of for couples to pass within hours. It’s reminiscent of the movie The Notebook.
Here’s a little about each of the couples.
The Pate’s
Mr. Pate was born on August 10, 1931, in Hollywood, AL. He was a retired Warrant Officer with the U.S. Army, with over 21 years of service. Mrs. Pate was born on October 16, 1932, in Charlotte, TN. She was a mother, grandmother, homemaker, and Army wife and a member of Springfield First United Methodist Church.
The Smith’s
Mr. Smith was born on January 18, 1922, in Clarksville Tennessee. He was a graduate of Springfield High School and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Naval Pilot and he was a member of Springfield Baptist Church for 86 years. Mrs. Smith was born on December 22, 1926, in Orlinda Tennessee. She was a graduate of Orlinda High School, a homemaker, and a member of Springfield Baptist Church.
We have added their full obituaries below.
Len & Freda Pate
Leonard Ray “Len” Pate, 88, of Ashland City and formerly of Springfield, passed away on Sunday May 24, 2020 at Vantage Pointe Assisted Living in Ashland City. Graveside services were conducted Wednesday May 27th at 1:00 p.m. in Springfield Memorial Gardens with Reverend Dr. Jason Wilkerson officiating. Family members to serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were the Jim Porter Sunday School Class of Springfield First United Methodist Church. The family received friends on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Robertson County Funeral Home. It was asked that everyone respect the CDC guidelines of social distancing.
Mr. Pate was born August 10, 1931 in Hollywood, AL to the late Colonel L. and Ester Bell Stone Pate. He was a retired Warrant Officer with the U.S. Army, with over 21 years of service. He was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his service in Korea. Mr. Pate was a member of Springfield First United Methodist Church. He was followed in death by his wife, Freda Long Pate, who died just 11 hours after his death.
Mr. Pate is survived by his children: Michael (Margaret) Pate of San Diego, CA, Joseph Lawrence of Ashland City, William (Kelly) Lawrence of Rainsville, AL, James (Teri) Lawrence of Mt. Juliet, and Sharon (Bob) Wilson of Chapmansboro, by his brother: Bobby Gene (Ann) Pate of Gulfport, MS, by 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Freda Long Pate, 87, of Ashland City and formerly of Springfield, passed away on Sunday May 24, 2020 at Vantage Pointe Assisted Living in Ashland City. Graveside services were conducted Wednesday May 27th at 1:00 p.m. in Springfield Memorial Gardens with Reverend Dr. Jason Wilkerson officiating. Family members served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were the Jim Porter Sunday School Class of Springfield First United Methodist Church. The family received friends on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Robertson County Funeral Home. It was asked that everyone respect the CDC guidelines of social distancing.
Mrs. Pate was born October 16, 1932 in Charlotte, TN to the late William Benton and Eva Baker Long. She was a mother, grandmother, homemaker, and Army wife. Mrs. Pate was a member of Springfield First United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband: Leonard Ray “Len” Pate, who died just 11 hours before her death. Mrs. Pate is survived by her children: Joseph Lawrence of Ashland City, William (Kelly) Lawrence of Rainsville, AL, James (Teri) Lawrence of Mt. Juliet, Sharon (Bob) Wilson of Chapmansboro, and Michael (Margaret) Pate of San Diego, CA, by her brother: Gerald (Dorothy) Long of White Bluff, by 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Marvin & Polly Smith
Marvin L. Smith, Jr., 98, of Springfield, passed from this life on Monday May 18, 2020 at North Crest Health. A private family graveside service was conducted Thursday May 21st in Springfield Memorial Gardens with Brother Martin Babb officiating. There was no public visitation.
Mr. Smith was born January 18, 1922 in Clarksville to the late Marvin L. and Viola Gilbert Smith, Sr. He was a graduate of Springfield High School and went on to attend the Bowling Green Business University. Mr. Smith a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Naval Pilot and Instructor with the Naval Pilot Aviation Program. He was a member of Springfield Baptist Church for 86 years, where he enjoyed supporting the many outreaches and functions of the church. Much of his business career was centered around the tobacco industry, and he was an owner in Better Block Company, INC. in Springfield. Mr. Smith served on the Robertson County Airport Authority for 29 years. He enjoyed anything that allowed him to be outdoors.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Joseph “Joe” Smith and Rebecca “Sue” Roe. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 69 years: Pauline “Polly” Holmes Smith of Springfield, by his son and daughter-in-law: Marvin L. “Lee” and Pam Smith, III of Springfield, by his grandson and granddaughter-in-law: Craig and Mallory Smith of Nashville, by his brother and sisters-in-law: Robert H. “Bob” and Pat Smith of McKinney, TX and Elizabeth Smith of Springfield. Mr. Marvin’s first great grandchild will arrive in September of this year and will be his great grandson.
If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield Baptist Church and may be sent c/o Robertson County Funeral Home. Robertson County Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Pauline “Polly” Holmes Smith, 93, of Springfield, passed from this life on Friday May 22, 2020 at North Crest Health. A private family burial was held on Saturday May 23rd in Springfield Memorial Gardens with Brother Martin Babb officiating. There was no public visitation.
Mrs. Smith was born December 22, 1926 in Orlinda to the late Paul and Irene Smart Holmes. She was a graduate of Orlinda High School, a homemaker, and a member of Springfield Baptist Church. Mrs. Smith enjoyed playing Bridge and she had an infectious laugh that she shared with all that knew her. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Marvin L. Smith, Jr., who died on Monday, May 18th, of this week, and by her brother: Harry Holmes.
Mrs. Smith is survived by her son and daughter-in-law: Marvin L. “Lee” and Pam Smith, III of Springfield, by her grandson and granddaughter-in-law: Craig and Mallory Smith of Nashville, by her brother and sister-in-law: James Albert and Betty Holmes of Orlinda, by her nephew: Chris Holmes and wife Beth, and by her great nephew: Henry Holmes all of Owensboro, KY. Mrs. Smith first great grandchild will arrive in September of this year, and will be her great grandson.
If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to Springfield Baptist Church and may be sent c/o Robertson County Funeral Home.
