Sylvia Bell Anderson Pate, age 76, of Hogansville, GA and Christopher Dwight "Chris" Pate, age 48, of Birmingham, AL passed away December 28, 2020 in Birmingham, AL. Private graveside services will be held at Browns Chapel ChurchCemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing.
They were preceded in death by husband and father, Raymond Leroy Pate; parents and grandparents, Albert and Bessie Anderson; Janice and Woody Falls, Dwayne Anderson and Easton Parker. Chris was also preceded in death by R. D. and Myrtie Lee Pate and Elton Pate.
Survivors include daughters / sisters, Djuana Hamner (Scott) and Sherree Anderson (Jimmy); Sylvia's brothers, Gary Anderson (Carolyn) and Mitcheal Anderson (Marilyn) and her grandsons, Brandon Bonner (Amber), Trent Hamner (Lainey), Westley Hamner (Ashlyn); granddaughter, Kristi Parker (Jed); great-grandchildren, Emma, Krimson and Berkley Parker, Saylor Hamner and Finnleigh Hamner and Chris's uncle, aunts and cousins.
Sylvia grew up in Gordo. She was raised in the Browns Chapel Church of God of Prophecy. Later in life, she moved her membership to the Gordo Church of Prophecy, but Browns Chapel always held a special place in her heart. Sylvia worked with Djuana and Jan at a Hickory Farm kiosk during one holiday season. She enjoyed getting out, so a while later, she applied at Wal-Mart and worked there. She made many friends while there. She enjoyed going back to see who was still there and would stop and visit with them.
Sylvia was a devoted mother to four children. She raised two children that she gave birth to. She raised two children from 1972 that she chose to raise, her younger brother and sister. She treated all four the same. They were all her kids. From some point in 1972, she proceeded to pile all four kids into a blue Nova with no power steering(This, she was always quick to point out) and drug them all to Tuscaloosa so Chris could be a part in the Rise program. She did it everyday, and yes that even included summers. She kept the rest of the kids entertained doing ceramics and whatever else she could find to keep them busy.
She was devoted to all of her kids, keeping them involved in activities. For two of them it was band, for one, it was keeping their grades up. She was especially devoted to Chris, though. She blamed herself for him having CP, no matter how many times she was told that she wasn't. Even after he was a grown man, she continued to feel the need to "baby" him. This totally wasn't his choice, I can promise you. He was strong willed and wanted his independence. She loved her baby boy. She had always worried about what would happen to him when she passed. God knew that neither of them would survive without the other. God had a plan and while we don't understand it, he does. So rest in peace our dear loved ones. Enjoy heaven until we get there.
Christopher Dwight Pate, known as Chris to friends and family, was a young man who was physically challenged by Cerebral Palsy from birth, but he never let it stop him from achieving his goals in life. He could talk Alabama football with the best and was a lifelong fan of the Gordo Greenwave. His basketball team was the Lakers. He thought he needed shirts made with 45 on them for his Lakeshore team. His mama made sure it happened. Some twenty plus years ago, he moved to Birmingham where he lived in a group home for a few years. He then moved to Highland Manor where he lived by himself. Though he faced many challenges, he never gave up. He loved the public transportation system and used it to go anywhere he wished. He went to Jeff State where he earned his GED. He later attended Virginia Tech in Birmingham where he studied drafting. Chris was an inspiration to many and will be greatly missed.
Chris is walking on the streets of gold. Mama can see all the saints who have gone before us with two perfect eyes and perfect eyesight. She can eat all the sugar she wants without the worry of her blood sugar going up. Life is great in heaven!
Due to Covid concerns, the family will have a private service. Thank you for your continued prayers and support during this sorrowful time. Please keep us wrapped in your prayers. For those family members attending, social distancing and facial coverings are strongly requested. We have a lot of loved ones with pre-existing illnesses that we must protect. Please honor this request. Masks will be provided for those who do not have one. We love each and every one of you, Djuana and Sherree.
Pallbearers are Brandon Bonner, Jimmy Bonner, Trent Hamner, Wes Hamner, and Jed Parker. Honorary pallbearers are Jean Jones, Jane Wheeles, the Bostic community, all of the Pate family, all of the Anderson family, Mary Jackson(Chris's caregiver), the remainder of Chris's caregivers he was blessed with, residents and friends at Highland Manor apartment building, and Angela Hawkins, Chris's case manager of six years.
Also a special shout out to his friends, Kiesha and Randall. Thank ya'll for always being there to keep Chris level headed and straight.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Dr Ste 900, Arlington, VA 22202, or Eye Foundation of America, 695 Westview Ave, Morgantown, WV 26505, in Sylvia's name, or United Cerebral Palsy Association, 1100 Ucp Pkwy, Northport, AL 35476; Rise Center, 600 Johnny Stalling Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401; or the Lakeshore Foundation, 4000 Ridgeway Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209. Chris loved going to Lakeshore and playing football.