Barbara Jean Tate

Barbara Jean (Ferguson) Tate, age 82, of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2014 at her residence. She was born November 18, 1931 in Sumner, Illinois, the daughter of Charles R. and Nellie V. (Seabright) Ferguson. She married James Tate on May 15, 1953 and he preceded her in death on February 6, 2012. Barbara graduated from Eastern Illinois University. She taught as an elementary school teacher in the Hillsboro, Illinois area. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville. Barbara enjoyed crocheting, playing the piano and organ, collecting monkeys, gardening, and was an avid UK fan. Barbara and her husband, Jim Tate, enjoyed Red Hills State Park while he was the park ranger. They enjoyed the state park for its mushroom hunting, fishing, camping, and for many years she hunted, gathered and processed hickory nuts and shipped them to various states. They spent many years at Kentucky Lake, watching their family grow and making many memories. Preceding Barbara in death were her parents, her husband James, and two brothers Burton and Charles Ferguson. Survivors include two sons Timothy (Mitzi) Tate and Ricky Lee (Tammy) Tate all of Bridgeport; two daughters: Terri Jean (Terry)Inboden of Bridgeport and Renee' (Jack) Campbell of Lawrenceville, special family friend, Joe Burkhart, along with their family companions and friends Sparky and Abby. Nine grandchildren also survive: Tim Tate, Jeremy Diggs, Aaron Diggs, Chris Tate, Kylie Tate, Derrick Tate, Cassie Brinkman, Stacey Inboden, and Dusty Harrison, as well as 12 great-grandchildren. Graveside services will be held at 2 pm Wednesday at Lawrenceville City Cemetery. There is no visitation. Memorial donations may be made to the Carmi Baptist Children's Home with envelopes available through the funeral home.