Carolyn Elizabeth Pate, 85, of Johnson City, passed away on Thursday, September 21, 2017, at the Unicoi County Long Term Health Center. Carolyn was born in Elizabethton to the late George Emert and Beatrice Eliza Ellis Williams. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arvel Fred Pate, in 2015; her brothers, Shelby Williams, Jerry Williams and Glenn Williams; and her former sisters-in-law, Martha Query and Betty Williams.
Carolyn retired from Erwin National Bank and attended Pinecrest Baptist Church, where she had served as the church hostess. She enjoyed cooking, and most of all, being with her family.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Cathy Bunton, of Elizabethton and Lois B. Shults-Davis and husband Michael, of Unicoi; her step-daughter, Loretta Eubanks; her grandsons, Kenneth Shults and wife Shelly, of Flagpond, Joseph David Shults and Lawrence Scott Shults, both of Unicoi; two sisters-in-law, Jewell Linville and Linda Williams, both of Elizabethton; a brother-in-law, Virgil Pate and wife Katherine, of Ohio; a great-grandson, Levi Shults, of Flagpond; a granddaughter, Gracie Jo Shults; and several nieces and nephews.
A service to honor and celebrate the life of Carolyn Elizabeth Pate will be conducted at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, September 24, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Rev. Ronnie Campbell officiating. Music will be provided by Catherine Edwards Bunton, Kenneth Shults and Craig T. Shelton. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 3 until 4:30 p.m. Sunday, prior to the service, or at the home of her daughter, Cathy Bunton, at any time. The graveside service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 26, at Mountain Home National Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Michael Davis, Kenneth Shults, Joseph David Shults, Lawrence Scott Shults, Scotty Jack Bunton and Cody Hyder. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Pinecrest Baptist Church, Raymond Poff and Virgil Pate. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the cemetery at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Pinecrest Baptist Church, 2129 Old Lewis Road, Johnson City, TN 37601 or to Unicoi County Hospital/Long Term Care Unit, 100 Greenway Circle, Erwin, TN 37650. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Mrs. Pate and her family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.