Michael Helton Tate

Michael "Punkin" Tate, 57, of Ridgely, died Saturday, April 19, 2008 at his residence. He was a retired merchant. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Cottonwood Baptist Church in Ridgely, where he was a member, with the Rev. Bob Dennison and Glen Burse officiating. Burial will be in New Haven Cemetery in Ridgely. Curry Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive visitors from 5-8 p.m. today at the church. Survivors include his mother, Reba Helton Tate of Ridgely; four sisters, Delores Burse of Henderson, Joyce Welch of Dyersburg, Alice Cranford of Ridgely, and Marsha Bartlett of Union City; and two brothers, W.C. Tate of Kenton and Ronnie Tate of Dallas, Texas; Peggy Robinson, cousin. He was preceded in death by his father, Till Tate. Pallbearers will be Wayne Cranford, Rickey Burse, Bryan Melton, Jordan Burse, Kelly Bartlett and Stan Welch. The family requests that any memorials be directed to Cottonwood Baptist Church in Ridgely.