Estelle Pate Culler, 91, of Elizabethton, Tenn., gently passed away in her sleep on Thursday, May 9, 2019, from her daughter’s home in Wilmington, N.C. Estelle was born in Carter County to the late Earl Mack Pate and Nervia Stevens Pate.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Edward Ray Culler, and two sisters, Dortha Pate Birchfield and Bertha McCurry Davis.
Estelle was a beautiful lady with a beautiful smile and a beautiful laugh. She was vibrant and always had a smile, enjoying her life and socializing. Estelle had worked as a manager for the South Elizabethton Utility and as a bookkeeper for several years. She had also worked as a blueprint technician for Daniel’s Construction.
Estelle was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she taught the Adult Women’s Sunday School Class and also played piano for the Pate Brothers Quartet for many years. She enjoyed sewing for her family, was an avid reader and also enjoyed drinking coffee and being with her family. Estelle also loved the beach and gardening. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends and loved ones.
Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Randy Brownlow Culler and wife Pat of Brooks, Ga.; two daughters, Sharon Culler Dixon and companion Louis Cardamone of Wilmington, N.C., and Sonja Willene Culler of Elizabethton, Tenn.; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Olen Pate of Elizabethton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The family will receive friends from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. Monday, May 13, in the Sunset Chapel of Hathaway-Percy Funeral Home and Cremation Services. The graveside service will follow in the Garland Cemetery in the Limestone Cove Community of Unicoi, Tenn., with Dr. Joe Sorah officiating. Music will be provided by Gordon Kyte. Active pallbearers will be Edward A. Culler, Scott E. Smithers, Martin Miller, Lester Brumit, Travis Brumit and Robert Lipford. Honorary pallbearers will be her great-grandsons, Mason E. Smithers, William E. Culler, Austin Smithers and John “Jake” Bridges, and Louis Cardamone, Roger H. Birchfield, Earl Birchfield, John H. Brown, C. Kevin Bridges, Eric Cardamone, Dayton Pate and Keith Whitson. The family would like to especially thank the staff of Elderhaus Adult Daycare Services of Wilmington for the loving care given to Estelle. In lieu of flowers, for those who desire, memorials may be made to Easter Seals Child Placement and Support Services, 4130 Oleander Drive, Suite 100, Wilmington, NC 28403. Online condolences may be sent to the family and viewed by visiting our website at www.hathawaypercy.com.
Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the Culler family. Office: (423) 543-5544.