Vernon Boyd Tate, Sr.

August 17, 1938 - August 24, 2020

Vernon Boyd Tate, Sr. of Eustis, Florida went to be with the Lord on Monday, August 24, 2020 at the age of 82 years. He was born in Scott County, Virginia. Vernon was a member of the Temple Free Will Baptist Church in Winter Garden, Florida. Vernon had a great sense of humor and enjoyed being the family comedian. Most of all, he loved the Lord and using his talents and voice to sing His praises throughout the years. During his latter years at Bayview Center, he ministered to the staff and other residents with his singing, even though his dementia kept him from realizing it. He was preceded in death by his father, Tylor B. Tate and his mother, Anna Ward Tate; brothers, Rufus, Nelson, Troy, Chester, Philip and Wilson; sisters, Bea Barker, Elsie Tate, Edith Mullins and Audrey Foster; grandson, Travis Robidoux and great-grandson, Demond Alexander Link. Vernon is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara; children, Vernon “TJ” Tate, Jr. (Kay) of Abingdon, Virginia, Dianna Tate of Lakeland, Florida and Denise Glover (Skeeter) of Eustis, Florida; grandchildren, April Tate of Lakeland, Cassie Peters (Jeremy) of Mulberry, Florida, Cpt. Aaron Robidoux, US Army (Doro) of South Korea, Donna Fuller (Sam) of Eustis, Florida and Steven Robidoux of Dothan, Alabama; as well as 10 great-grandchildren. A memorial ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at 2:00 PM at the Temple Free Will Baptist Church in Winter Garden with Pastor Jeff Shaver officiating. The service will be live-streamed over the internet through the church website www.templefwb.org or at Facebook.com/templefreewillbaptistchurch Condolences, memories and photos may be shared on the tribute wall.