In Loving Memory of Frances W. Tate
May 24, 1939 – October 24, 2026
Some people leave behind memories. Others leave behind a legacy of love, strength, and a family that will never quite be the same without them. Frances W. Tate, affectionately known as Mawmaw, was most certainly the latter.
Born on May 24, 1939, Frances was one of nine children and the last surviving sibling. On June 25, 1960, she married the love of her life, Bill Tate, beginning a beautiful life together filled with love, family, and memories.
Mawmaw was the heart of her family, the matriarch, the protector, and, let’s be honest, the one you probably didn’t want to cross. She loved fiercely, spoke her mind, and had a heart overflowing with love for the people she called hers. If Mawmaw loved you, you never had to question it. And if someone messed with her family, well, they quickly learned just how fiercely she could protect them.
She had a remarkable gift for creating beautiful things. An avid gardener with a love for flowers, she could bring just about anything to life. She loved to bake, enjoyed reading, and could craft nearly anything she set her mind to.
She had a special way of making those she loved feel cherished and protected. No matter how old her children or grandchildren became, they were still her babies. And she made certain they knew it. Every single night, without fail, she sent messages reminding her family that she loved them. It was such a simple gesture, but one that spoke volumes about the kind of woman she was.
Her great-grandson, Nicko, was the absolute light of her life. The love and joy he brought her were immeasurable, and the bond they shared was something truly special.
Mawmaw was a member of Union Grove Church in Holly Pond, Alabama. Her faith, her love for her family, and her unwavering strength were woven into the fabric of who she was.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill Tate; her parents, John and Dollie White; her eight siblings; her daughter, Beverly Flournoy; and her granddaughter, Stacey Flournoy.
She leaves behind her daughter, Kim Freeman, and son-in-law, Scott Freeman; her granddaughter, Amy Kemp, and her husband, Nathan Kemp; her cherished great-grandson, Nicko Galanis; and a host of nieces, nephews, and their children.
Mawmaw’s absence will be felt in countless ways. In the flowers she once tended, the things she lovingly made, the phone calls that can no longer be made, and the nightly messages that always ended with love.
She leaves behind a family who knew what it meant to be loved fiercely and unconditionally. And while life without her will never be quite the same, the love she gave so freely will remain with them always.
She was one of a kind, a force to be reckoned with, and loved beyond words. And knowing Mawmaw, she’d probably have a thing or two to say about all this fuss being made over her.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Union Grove Church in Holly Pond, Alabama.
