Johnnie Doyle Tate, 85, of Gulfport passed away Sunday, August 13, 2017 in Gulfport. He was born April 28, 1932 in Electra, Texas to parents Johnnie Cecil Tate and Ruthie Obera Tate.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Midwestern University, Wichita Falls, Texas in 1954. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1977. He was the General Manager for Teledyne Irby Steel and served as an Elder at Long Beach Church of Christ for 40 years.
He was predeceased by his wife, Charlene Metz Tate; and siblings, Vanita Rush and Gay Westbay. Johnnie is survived by his wife, Dolores Anderson Tate; children, Charla Smith, Steven and Jodi Tate, and John and Debbie Tate; grandchildren, Sean Smith, Hope Austin, Rivers Sellers, Alexandra Tate, Bria Tate, Calli Tate, Dakota Garber, Kellum Tate, Carter Tate; great-grandchildren, Haize Austin, Tate Smith, Ruthie Sellers, Penelope Austin, Norah Sellers, Rosemary Austin; sibling, Rita Brackney and sister-in-law, Bonnie Medlinger.
Visitation will be held Thursday, August, 17, 2017 from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport. The graveside service is Friday morning August 18, at 9:00 A.M. at Biloxi National Cemetery. The memorial service is Friday, August 18, 2017 at 11:30 A.M. at Long Beach Church of Christ officiated by Mark Hodges. Honorary pallbearers are Sean Smith, Carter Tate, Matthew Austin, Robert Sellers, Jarret Garber.
Memorial donations may be made to Long Beach Church of Christ “True Love Offering”, Long Beach Church of Christ, 200 N Cleveland Avenue, Long Beach, MS 39560.
View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com