Frances Eloise Shufflebarger Tate, of Blacksburg, Va., died peacefully Nov. 13, 2020 in Radford.
Frances was the youngest of five children born to Thomas E. and Mary Craig Shufflebarger, Sr. on Dec. 13, 1927 in Christiansburg. Frances’ parents, four siblings – Thomas E. Shufflebarger, Jr., Sallie S. Bromm, Virginia Shufflebarger, Elizabeth S. Klawitter, three great grandchildren – Josh, Emma and Landon McKinney, and her beloved husband of more than 70 years , Charles T. “Tommy” Tate, Sr. all predeceased her.
She is survived by her children – Charlotte T. Burgess, Charles T. Tate II, (Nancy) James Edgar Tate; grandchildren Megan K.Tate (Salman), Charles T. Tate, III (Dorcas), Amy B. McKinney (Ryan); two great grandchildren Cristian “Jack” Guiterrez, and Charles Thomas-Joseph Tate, many nieces and nephews.
Frances grew up in Cambria , Va. She attended Mary Washington College, and Radford College. After her marriage, she spent the next seventy years as a resident of Blacksburg . She was a member of the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School, and was active in several women’s circles.
She was an active member of the William Preston DAR, and a Girl Scout leader. Frances worked at Blacksburg High School as a secretary in the Vocational department , and later as a receptionist at the Montgomery County School Board Office.
Frances loved to sing! She was a longtime member of the BUMC choir, and was a member of the VT New Virginians. She never quit singing and, through the years, she would sing to her family members, and her favorite dogs. She enjoyed writing, working in the garden, bridge, dancing, talking to her friends, and she loved to cook. Many enjoyed receiving one of her pecan pies “just because.” She will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank Radford Health and Rehab, Medi-Health Hospice, and caregivers, Kristi Martin, Casey Shaffner, Shannon Medley, Jillian Trent, Amber Akers, Ashley Hill, Nancy Payne, and Catie Letner for taking such good care of her over the past months. In lieu of flowers, we suggest that donations be made to organizations that are searching for cures to Vascular Dementia/ Dementia.
A graveside service was held on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Westview Cemetery. McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg is handling the final arrangements.