Shirley Ruth Tate, daughter of the late Ivan B. McNew, Sr. and Lydia (Merriman) McNew, was born on October 2, 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri and entered Heaven on August 21, 2019 at the age of 82. She was residing at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri at the time of her death.
Shirley was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Dexter, a member of Eastern Star, served as a Cub Scout Den Mother, and a was a long-time resident of Dexter.
She grew up as part of a loving family in Morehouse where she graduated from high school in 1954. She then moved to St. Louis where she landed her first job with the Reinholdt & Gardner brokerage firm. Shirley’s next career opportunity was working in Sikeston with Southwestern Bell Telephone as a switch-board operator. This path led her to meet the love of her life, and she was united in marriage to Jim Tate on March 30, 1958 in Hernando, Mississippi. The two “love birds” started a wonderful journey in life together, living in numerous towns across Missouri and Kansas as Jim followed his profession in the insurance industry. They eventually established permanent roots in Dexter which became the hometown they loved. Shirley was the “anchor” of the family raising their three children and she found her true calling as a care provider for family and friends. She loved cooking, sewing, tackling complex cross-word puzzles, reading, and spending endless hours spoiling not only her own children, but also her many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Shirley mastered the “gift of gab” and enjoyed hosting her friends and family in casual social gatherings “fueled” by a good cup of coffee and a slice of homemade pie. She possessed an incredible memory, and up to the day she died could artfully recount detailed stories of the life events and birthdates of all family members and friends.
Shirley is survived by her daughter, Kathy Tate of Columbia; two sons, Kevin (wife Genie) of Broken Arrow, Okla. and Keith (wife Lucy) of Overland Park, Kansas; a brother-in-law, Ron Tate (Linda) of St. Louis; a brother-in-law Charlie King of Oklahoma; one sister-in-law, Liz McNew of Morehouse; five grandchildren, Matthew Tate (Amanda), Mark Tate (Madison), Zach Tate, John Paul (Raven) and Logan Paul; eight great grandchildren, Nehemiah, Noah, Isaiah, Abigail, Hezekiah, Wyatt, Trystan and Jocelyn. In addition, she will be missed by many cousins including Mary Kilmer of Sikeston; nephews Alan King (Sandy); Jimmy Parker (Elishia Baker); Corey McNew (Shannon); Steve Deppe (Brenda); Craig Tate (Julie); nieces Joni Kroeger (Steve); Sydney Daniels (Timmy); Shannon King (Randy).
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Jim; one granddaughter, Emily Tate; two sisters, Phyllis Parker and Audrey King; one brother, I.B. McNew, Jr.; three nieces, Becky King, Rachel King, and Janice Tate.
Shirley’s family wishes to thank her many friends in the Dexter community who have loved and cared for her over the years. You will always be considered part of our family!
Visitation will take place at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Monday, August 26, 2019 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel on Monday, August 26, 2019 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Tom Bass officiating. Interment will follow in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield where she will be laid to rest with her loving husband Jim.
Memorials may be made in Shirley’s name to the First Presbyterian Church, 201 S Locust Street, Dexter MO 63841 or Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64145. Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of all arrangements.