Lora Gay Deakins Tate

© Cheyenne Star

13 Apr 2006

Submitted by: Wanda Purcell

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Lora Gay Deakins Tate, 59, was held Tuesday, April 11, 2006, 2:00 p.m. at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home, 14624 N. May, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with Rev. Davis Haynes officiating.

Lora was born May 13, 1946 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Paul and Dorothy Thomas Deakins.

She went to be with the Lord April 4, 2006 at Integris Baptist Medical Center after a heroic battle with illness most of her adult life.

Lora attended Classen High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

She married the love of her life and best friend, Orville Anthon Tate, Jr. of Cheyenne in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 4, 1962.

Orville gives all the credit to Lora for raising two wonderful children while he traveled extensively for the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers.

She was the love of his life and the "wind beneath his wings."

Lora "Nana" was truly a homemaker whose entire life was dedicated to Orville, the children and especially the grandchildren.

She was an enthusiastic supporter of her grandkids' activities, rarely missing a game or race or the opportunity to bless them.

She was a wonderful cook, always having some home baked goodie available for consumption and her witty sense of humor kept everyone laughing.

Lora was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law, Faye Flenner; and special friend, Pat Hill.

She is survived by her husband of almost 44 years, Orville Tate, Jr.; daughter, Karen Byrd and husband, Matthew; son, Alan Tate and wife, Tracy; grandchldren, Brittany Byrd, Shelby Byrd, Jamie Tate, Jeremy West and wife, Tiffanie; Jesse West and wife, Lindsey; great grandchild, Tristan West; brother, Kenneth Deakinds of Garland, Texas; sisters, Judy Pluess and Lori Stewart of Oklahoma City; mother-in-law, Betty Beaty of Oklahoma City; many nieces, nephews and the "birthday girls".

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America www.cccfa.org.