R. L. Tate

R.L. Tate, affectionately known as Tom and Big Tom by his children and grandchildren, was born March 16, 1945, in Marks, Mississippi to the late Johnny and Lenora Tate. Tom attended Westside Elementary, graduated from Quitman County High School in 1966 and began his formal education at Coahoma Jr. College in Clarksdale, MS but decided to relocate Chicago, IL with his brother Sam where he met his wife and the love of his life Dorothy Wallace. Soon after this move, Tom was drafted into the US Army where he was stationed in Germany serving a 3-year term. Once he completed his military service, he took Dorothy home to Mississippi where they married in 1971 then returned to Chicago to start their family. To this union they had 8 children whom they raised in this city where he spent the rest of his life. Before getting married, Tom began work as a machine operator at Finzer Roller Company where he spent his entire 47-year career and retired in 2010. Dorothy retired the following year, and they spent their remaining retirement years traveling, gardening and enjoying their children, grandchildren, great and great grandchildren. Tom was known for his big heart and the loving value that he placed on his wife, children, his entire family and friends. Although he devoted most of his time to his entire family; his grandkids held a had a special place in his heart. He deeply loved and enjoyed barbequing for his family. He found joy in cooking, lawn care, gardening and taking care of his family. Tom was a jack of all trades, skilled in carpentry and home repair, fixing cars and handy in many ways, always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone. He was a versatile dad, selfless, trustworthy, honest, understanding, always willing to listen and simply a man with a heart of gold. At the age 78, Tom made his peaceful transition on February 24, 2024 at Pavillion Bridgeview Healthcare in Bridgeview, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents Johnny and Lenora Tate; six brothers, John L."Ray", Sammie" Pap" ‚Eugene, Milton "Pig", Frank Edward"Punkin", & Billy Ray; three sisters Johnnie Burgess, Ida Smallie "Sis" (Len), & Ella Walton; and one son Kevin"Mookie". He is survived by his wife Dorothy Tate, his children Lorenzol Linda), Timothy (Spring), Calvin(Marlene), Yolanda(Dwaine), Lenora(Sabian), Felica(Calvin), Earnest (Veronique), and R.L. Jr; three sisters Lula Tate" Polly" of Marks, MS, Lula Mitchell(Eddie) of Memphis, TN & Molly Tate-Carter of Bellwood, IL; a host of grandchildren, great grands & great-great grands; three friends close as a brother his brother in laws, Len Smallie and Wadell (Jerome) Copeland and best friend Jimmy Lee Webster; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends to mourn this great loss.