Mildred Lorraine Tate

Macon, GA- Mildred Lorraine Diffenderfer Tate passed away on July 1, 2018 at her residence at Carlyle Place in Macon, GA. She was born October 10, 1921 in Momence, IL. Her parents were Herman Floyd Diffenderfer and Beatrice Victoria Perry originally from Covington, IN. In 1926, her father died from pneumonia after routine gall bladder surgery. Mildred and her mother, brother and sisters moved to Chicago to live with Mildred's aunt Hazel Perry to weather the Great Depression. Her family members found employment and by pooling their money, they enabled Mildred to finish her education. She graduated from John Marshall High School and later attended Northwestern University : taking courses in Art and Creative Writing.
Mildred worked as a comptometer operator at Standard Oil Company of Indiana until 1950 when she married Byron Day Tate Jr. They had three children. A full time homemaker until the late 1970's, she later was a credit analyst for Montgomery Ward department stores and worked there until retirement in 1985. Mildred and Byron retired to Ormond Beach FL before moving to the Macon area in recent years.
Mildred was an avid golfer: winning a number of regional Chicago tournaments in the 1970's and 1980's. She was also an accomplished watercolor artist: winning many art shows in Chicago and in central Florida in later years. She loved to paint flowers and landscapes: giving away numerous paintings to admirers over the years.
Mildred loved her family. She was very close to her brother and two sisters, nieces and nephews. She was a doting parent who was a den mother for her sons when they were in the Boy Scouts, and secretary for the school PTA when her sons attended school. She attended Ashburn Methodist Church in Chicago, Riverside Methodist Church in Ormond Beach, FL and in later years she was a confirmed member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Ft. Valley, GA.
Mildred was a source of strength and support for her family and her many friends. She would drive church members to Drs. appointments and cook meals for the homebound in the community. She also was an avid card player and in later years excelled in Bingo! She had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit.
Mildred is predeceased by her parents; her husband of 61 years Byron Tate Jr.; her brother Robert Diffenderfer; and her sisters Mary Allen and Monzelle Price. She is survived by three loving sons and daughters-in-law: Wesley D. Tate of Marco Island, FL; Donald S. Tate (Ruth) of Warner Robins, GA; and David A. Tate (Victoria) of Downers Grove, IL. She is survived by five grandchildren: Ellen; Grace; Brandon; Candice and Elizabeth. She was the proud great-grandparent of Bryce and Tyler Tate.
Services will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, July 6, 2018, in the Chapel of Shelby Funeral Home in Covington, Indiana with the Rev Drs. Donald and Ruth Tate officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Covington IN. She will be laid to
rest between her father and husband. Rooks Funeral Home in Fort Valley, GA and Shelby Funeral Home in Covington IN are in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials may be sent in lieu of flowers to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church 309 Central Ave. Ft. Valley, GA 31030

Shelby Funeral Home