Barbara Ann Tate

The service for Ms. Tate will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor​

Ms. Barbara Ann Tate, the daughter of the late Horace and Louise Tate, was born on June 21, 1952, and entered eternal rest on Friday, January 21, 2022.

She was educated in the Durham City Schools and as a 1970 graduate of Durham High School. After graduating high school, Barbara went to Durham Technical Community College to pursue a career in nursing. There she completed her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) certification in May 1972 and began working as an LPN at Duke University Medical Center. She eventually went back to school and got her Registered Nurse (RN) degree in 1997.

Her love for taking care of people made her a great nurse who many patients and families remember and marveled. She worked tirelessly for Duke University Medical Center until her health began to decline. In June of 2011, she retired with 40 years of service and dedication to Duke University Medical Center.

More than nursing, she loved her church and church family. She was strong in her faith and showed it in her actions and service to Mt. Gilead Baptist Church.  She was an active member and participated on the Nursing Aide Committee, Finance Committee, Iris Cates Club, Women’s Ministry, and Mt. Gilead Inc. You could count on her to be present at the 8 o’clock church service every Sunday until her health declined.

She also volunteered her time with CAARE Inc, and Durham Public Schools at YE Smith and Hope Valley Elementary School. She would freely give of her time and anything she had to help any and everyone if there was a need. In her free time, she loved selling AVON, crocheting, solving puzzles in puzzle books, polishing her nails, going to the casinos and The Dollar Tree.

She leaves to cherish her memories a son, Roderick Trent Tate of New York, NY, a daughter, Kristin Tate (Marshall Waddell III) of Durham, NC, two bonus daughters, Michelle Yvette Tate and Kahlilah Rashida Tate, both of Durham, NC, one grandson, Jhamari De’Quinton Tate of Fort Bragg, NC, two bonus grandsons, Kheemani Hakeem Tate of Greensboro, NC and Richard Jefferson of Durham, NC; three sisters, Lillie Mae Tate of Danville, VA, Gloria Jean Tate of Durham, NC and Regina Hines (Edward Hines) of Fayetteville, NC; two sister-friends; Harriett B. Gilmer and Elitia McMillan both of Durham, NC;  five brothers Hasan Salih of Durham, NC and Roddy Tate (Brenetta Tate) of Hillsborough, NC, Ja’Torr Tate Traylor, of Charlotte, NC, Derrick Tate and Steven Turrentine, both of Durham, NC, two uncles, Donald Lee Tate (Betty Tate) of Mebane, NC and Oscar Tate (Kay Tate) of Newark, NJ and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives that she loved so very much!

She also leaves to cherish her memories, her furry daughters, Joy, Jade, and Tinker-Bell; her beloved cats; all of the home.

Barbara Ann also had a devoted group of caregivers to include Karen Council, Antar McCormick, Jacqueline Bright, Simone Leak, Disani Jackson, Juanita Trotman, and Casimira Brown as well as her very own medical Uber Driver, Ms. Teresa Toomer. 

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Kirk Tate and Alfred Tate, and one sister Freida Tate Adams.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Ann Tate, please visit our floral store.