Dr. Samuel R Pate, Jr.

Dr. Samuel Ray Pate, Jr. of Madison passed away on Monday, May 4th 2015. Dr. Pate was born November 11, 1929 in Isola, Mississippi to Samuel Ray Pate, Sr. and Angeline Ammons Pate. He graduated from the Isola Consolidated School in 1947. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was recruited to the School of Aviation Medicine where he was stationed in Weisbaden, Germany for six years. After completing his service, he returned to Mississippi and enrolled in the University of Mississippi where he as was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity .

In 1955 he attended the University Of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson where he was a member of the first four-year graduating class. It was at this time that he met his bride-to-be, the former Carolyn Williams of Jackson. They were married on August 24, 1957 at Galloway United Methodist Church of Jackson. He completed his internship at University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1960.

Dr. Pate began general practice of medicine in Lexington, Mississippi where he practiced until 1965. Afterwards, he returned to Jackson where he completed a residency in Psychiatry and began private practice in Jackson in 1968. Dr. Pate was one of the founding physicians of Riverside Hospital (Charter), the first psychiatric hospital in Mississippi, where he served as chief of staff. He also served as chief of staff of the Psychiatric Section at St. Dominic Hospital. He was active in the Mississippi Psychiatric Association, serving as President, and as a Representative to the American Psychiatric Association. He was a Fellow of the Mississippi Psychiatric Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the Southern Psychiatric Association.

Although he retired from private practice in 1992, he did not slow down. He resumed practicing at the VA Medical Center in Jackson for five years. After a second and brief retirement worked for seven more years at Mississippi State Hospital before finally retiring at age 75. Throughout his career, he was loved by his colleagues, patients and staff.

He was a long time member of Christ United Methodist Church. He enjoyed singing in the choir, was a member of the Friendship Sunday School class, and the Men’s Tuesday morning Bible study, where he encouraged the singing of a hymn before each lesson. He enjoyed meeting with the CUMC Retired Men’s Coffee Club. He also participated in the church’s Meals On Wheels ministry.

One of his greatest joys was being around friends and family. He was an active member of the Walter Scott Coffee Club of Jackson and was involved with a small support group of close friends. His home was a frequent gathering for family reunions and holiday occasions and he liked nothing more than having his children and grandchildren around him. Nothing compared however to Carolyn, the joy of his life and wife of fifty-seven years. Together they raised five children and built a treasure of memories and experiences.

Dr. Pate is preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Mary Annice “Bo” Stewart and a son, Dr. Kenneth Ray Pate. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Williams Pate, four daughters, Linda Susan Russell (David), Angie Carol Rucker, Rebecca Lynn Pate, and Dr. Patricia Ann Pate; his brother Bob R. Pate (Deborah) of Livingston, Texas, and his sister Melanie Holcomb (Bob) of Meridian. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Lauren Russell, Allison Russell, Daniel Pate Russell, Rachel Furr (Paul), Mary Grace Russell, Hannah Pate, Ethan Dewey, and Carver Dewey; one great-grandchild, Maia Russell-Johnson, and cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 8 2015 at Christ United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held from 9:00-10:45 AM prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 6000 Old Canton Road, Jackson, Mississippi 39211.