J. Willene Pate

J. Willene Pate, of Rockwall, passed away at Beacon Harbor Nursing Home and Rehab Facility in Rockwall, on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at age 88. 

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 4, 2022, at Fort Parker Memorial Park in Groesbeck, with Pastor Jon Honea officiating. 

Willene was born February 11, 1934.  James W. Strode and Margaret (Randles) Strode were her adopted parents, and she happily grew up in Mexia where she attended school throughout her school years. 

She was married in 1950 to Billy Gene Pate from Groesbeck, and to this union three children were born, one of whom preceded his mother in death. Willene and Bill Pate met at a pavilion dance at Ft. Parker Lake and fell madly in love.

After their marriage they moved to Pampa, TX, where they resided for 16 years.  Bill Pate's mother, Mrs. Jesse Myrtle Oswalt Pate lived in Groesbeck and the family visited often for family reunions and holidays.

In 1972 they moved their family to Richardson, TX. to open an Ethan Allen Gallery.  Willene worked with her husband in the furniture industry as an Interior Decorator. She was quite talented. She was also a dedicated mother and loved by all.

They were members of the Church of Christ throughout their years in Pampa. The greatest comfort to all who knew and loved her is the blessed fact that she accepted Christ as her personal savior at the age of 19 years. She made the greatest decision of her life when just a young woman, thus voicing her desire to be a Christian companion and faithful mother to her children.   

Willene was preceded in death by her mother and father, J.W. and Margaret Strode; her husband, Bill Pate in 1971; her mother-in-law, Myrtle Pate; and her son, William Robert Pate in November 2019. 

She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Tom Mullins of Rowlett; daughter, Deborah Miller of Rockwall; grandson, Sky Miller and his wife Carolyn Miller of Monument, CO.; grandson, Bill Pate of Forney; and great grandsons, Marshall Miller and Miles Miller of Monument, CO.