Betty Tate

On Saturday, November 2, 2013, we lost one of the world's most lovely and gracious ladies, Betty Jane Tate. She was surrounded by her loving husband, children and grandchildren. Betty Jane Wills, Jane or BJ as she was known was born in Brooklyn, MD on March 26, 1928.
Betty Jane had two older brothers, Jimmy and Bunk and younger twin brothers, Billy and Bobby. They shared a great deal of fun together. Her fondest memories of work were when she started at The Emerson Hotel in downtown Baltimore at the age of 15. She worked at the front desk handling the guests and bookkeeping with the most exciting part being the people she met each and every day.

In December of 1949, she married her longtime love from kindergarten, Creston G. Tate. Together they had shared 64 years of marriage and a total of 80 years of companionship. Betty Jane raised three children, Dale Tate, Debbie Macey, and Pam Tate. She loved being with her eight grandchildren, ages 14 to 39 and now two great grandchildren. She and Creston have resided in Linthicum for the past 41 years.

Betty Jane volunteered throughout the community in many ways including her children's schools, Anne Arundel County Concert Association and the Baltimore Symphony Showhouse. Betty Jane and Creston, together have continually been active philanthropists throughout the Anne Arundel County Community.

BJ also really enjoyed birdwatching, flowers, dancing , music and the Morris Mechanic Theater in its day. In her golden years, she remained our focus for gathering , always ready to enjoy a time of laughter while sharing her infectious smile. BJ was certainly known for her "Sparkle" whether it was her personality or her adornments.

Betty Jane is survived by her loving husband Creston, her three children, Dale Tate (Geri) Debbie Macey (Bill Voluse) and Pam Tate (Patrick Cook). Also her grandchildren, Nina (Greg),
Courtnee (Mike), Creston D. (Kelly), RJ, Matt (Heather), Aislinn, Teagan and Seamus; great grandchildren, Emerson and Sullivan; and her brother's daughter, Mary Margaret Shipley (Glenn).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Tate Center, 301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 OR The Creston and Betty Jane Tate Hospice House, 90 Ritchie Hwy, Pasadena, MD 21122.

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