Melvin Tate

Tuesday, October 9, 2018
Melvin Tate

SIKESTON — Melvin “Pops” Tate, 74, died Oct. 5, 2018, at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Born July 18, 1944, in Essex, son of the late Allen Tate, Sr. and Lillie Morris Tate, he worked as a cook at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston until retiring. He was a faithful member of The Church On The Rock in Morehouse, where he ministered in cooking and grilling for church events. He loved his dogs and cat; he enjoyed fishing and collecting and redistributing junk items. After retirement, he maintained a stall at the Tradewinds Flea Market in Sikeston.

He is survived by his two sons, Martin Simmerman and Devon Davis of Sikeston; and two special friends, Tina Wickham and Thelma West of Sikeston. Other survivors include: two brothers and sisters-in-law, Allen Jr. and Helen Tate of Chicago and Jessie and Sherron Tate of Hernando, Miss; three sisters, Linda Pipkins, India Pipkins and Mildred Carlock, all of Chicago.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Clarence Tate, Cleveland Tate and Issac Tate; and three sisters, Alice Carter, Pearlie Mae White and Castella Patterson.

Visitation is at 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Saturday at The Church On The Rock in Morehouse with Curtis True, pastor, officiating.

Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be his nephews: Tyrone White, Sylvester Tate Sr., Wilton Carter, Ralph Tate, Isaac Tate Jr. Gary Pipkins, Al Derek Carlock and Percy Pipkins Jr.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Martin Simmerman, Devon Davis, Allen Tate Sr., Jessie Tate, Jeff Davis Sr.,

Millard Tate, Johnny White Jr., Alfonso Tate, Moses Jenkins, Woodrow Speed Jr., Mack Walton, John Henry Turner and Virgil Tate.

Nunnelee Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Paid obituary