Samuel Kenneth Pate Sr.

Samuel Kenneth Pate, Sr., born March 14, 1936, passed away on April 5, 2011 after a brief illness. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 49 years, Carole. He is also survived by his son, Samuel Kenneth Pate, Jr. and wife Debbie of Forest, daughter Kathy Pate McNeill and husband Brad, also of Forest; four grandchildren; Katherine Pate Green and husband Garrett of Chicago, Samuel Kenneth Pate III and wife Amanda of Lynchburg, William Bradley McNeill and Caden Pate McNeill of Forest. Mr. Pate, affectionately known as Poppy to his family, also has three great grandchildren who will be born later this year. Mr. Pate is also survived by two sisters, Jean Pate Ferris and husband Eugene of Lynchburg, and Macel Pate Falwell of Lynchburg and a number of nieces and nephews. Mr. Pate also had a dear friend with whom he worked for over 50 years, Oma Bradner. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Lucille Pate, one sister, Mary Ann Pate and a brother in law, Rev. Jerry L. Falwell. Mr. Pate was a charter member and chairman of the Board of Deacons of Thomas Road Baptist Church. He was also past chairman of the board of Liberty University. He served on other organization boards such as the Liberty Godparent Home and Liberty Christian Academy. Early in his career, Mr. Pate worked at Montague Betts Company in Lynchburg, Virginia. He later helped Dr. Jerry Falwell develop and build the television and radio ministry for the Old Time Gospel Hour and associated ministries. Mr. Pate was a successful businessman and was founder and owner of Sam K. Pate Associates, a direct mail marketing company that served clients all over the nation. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 8, 2011 at Thomas Road Baptist Church with Pastor Jonathan Falwell officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 7, 2011 in the Pate Chapel of Thomas Road Baptist Church. The family requests those wishing to make memorial contributions, please consider the Liberty Godparent Home, C/O Liberty Godparent Foundation 124 Liberty Mountain Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502. To send condolences online, please visit www.whittenfuneralhome.com. Whitten Funeral Homes, Timberlake Chapel 434-239-0331 is serving the Pate family.