Mr. Donald "Rod" Tate, age 81, of Sulligent, AL, passed away Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at his residence.  Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 3:00pm at Sulligent Church of Christ with Military Honors graveside services and burial in Boshell Cemetery in Townley, AL. The body will lie in state at the church from 2:00pm until service time at 3:00pm.  Mr. Roddy Tate and Mr. Scott Sides to officiate.  Visitation will be held at Otts Funeral Home on Saturday, April 3, 2021 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Rod Tate was born on November 23, 1939 in Carbon Hill, AL where he spent the first 18 years of his life.  He then joined the Navy where he would end up being stationed in Corpus Christi, TX.  That is where he would meet and marry Mimi Shanley.  Their marriage lasted three months short of 60 years.  Three children came along and a house filled with love and laughter.  After the Navy, Rod worked for Xerox for a short time before receiving the call to preach.  He became a preacher and that would be his calling for the next 50 plus years.  In that time, he and Mimi were foster parents to close to 20 children and also worked closely with Children Homes associated with churches of Christ.  He would also teach and administratively lead Bible colleges associated with the church, inspiring dozens of young men to preach the gospel as he did.  Many owe a great debt to a great man of God.

Survived By:

Wife: Mimi Tate, Sulligent, AL

Sons: Donald Rodney Tate, Jr.(Corina), Mt. Carmel, IL

Joseph Tate, Liberty Hill, TX

Daughter: Tammy Sides (Scott), Collinsville, TX

Sisters: Amelia Snead (John), Arley, AL

Connie Mullins (James), Jasper, AL

Grandchildren: Anthony Sides, Trulie Nielsen, Montana Sides, Joshua Sides, Marcus Sides,

Trae Tate, Allie Phalin, Malory Tate, Hudson Tate, and Addy Decker

Great Grandchildren: Brayden Sides, Tealy Claire Sides, Millie Scott Sides, and Hope Olivia Phalin

Preceded In Death By:

Parents: A.F. Tate and Maybell Fikes Tate

Sister: Mabel Jean Newcomb

Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at: www.ottsfuneralhome.net

Otts Funeral Home

Sulligent, AL, Directing