Mrs. Ernestine Loyd Tate

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday at Collier-Butler Chapel for Mrs. Ernestine Loyd Tate, age 73, Rainbow City, who made her journey to Heaven on Monday, January 24, 2011, to be reunited with her loved ones waiting for her. Rev. Roger Beshears will officiate with burial to follow at Rainbow Memorial Gardens. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services directing.

Ernestine was born on April 26, 1937. She graduated from Crossville High School in 1955. She was a former member of Litchfield Avenue and Golden Rod Avenue Baptist Church. She loved the Lord and was living proof of His amazing healing power. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother who loved her family. She was loved and will be missed by all who knew her. Ernestine loved to sit on her patio and talk to her many special friends at Meadow Oaks Apartments who she considered part of her extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Lillie Loyd; husband, Earl. M. Tate; sisters Nina Ruth Vann and Mildred Underwood; brother, Charles Loyd; and sister, Edwin Dean Loyd.

She is survived by her son, Tim (Amanda) Tate, Rainbow City; daughters, Tina (Allen) Barnard, Rainbow City; and Brenda (Marty) Fuller, Southside; grandchildren, Kristy Gaskin, Stacey (Tavaris) Smith, Cory Fuller, Zac and Jake Mizell, Matthew and Madelyn Tate; great grandson, Tavaris Smith II; great granddaughter, Kaitlyn Kerr; sisters, Bernice Gladden, Gadsden and Dot Fountain, Gulfport, MS; special nieces, Becky (Jacky) Austin and Donna Mershon; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be J.T. Fitts, Kenneth Farley, Steve Tate, Brandon Sims, Bill Gewalt and Jack Minshew.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Lawley Hospice, especially to Kelly Usry, for their love, care and support during this difficult time. Thanks also to Rural Metro and Gadsden- Etowah Ambulance Services and Bro. Bruce Word for their special love and kindness.

Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Collier-Butler.

www.collier-butler.com.