Robert M. “Bobby” Tate

July 16, 2016

Robert M. “Bobby” Tate, 71, of Attapulgus, Ga., passed away Saturday, July 16, 2016.

The memorial service will be held at a later date on the grounds of Bainbridge Bikefest. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at Ivey Funeral Home.

Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com. Memorial donations may be made to: Bainbridge BikeFest, P. O. Box 7752, Bainbridge, GA 39818 or Fowlstown VFD, C/O Les O’ Berry, 220 Douthit Road, Bainbridge, GA 39819.

Robert Muriel Tate was born April 17, 1945 in Bristol, Tenn., the son of Reuben Scott Tate and Helen Mae Davidson Tate. Bobby married his soulmate, Virginia Lynette Smith, and made his home in Decatur County for the better part of the last 40 years. He was a member of Attapulgus United Methodist Church. Bobby retired from Decatur-Seminole Training Center.

Bobby had a servant’s heart. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He served in his church as the bus driver and MYF counselor for a number of years. He always had a heart for those with greater obstacles to overcome. Bobby made many trips to the Lions Club Camp for the Blind. He thoroughly enjoyed his days as a Boy Scout Troop Leader teaching boys how to be men. All of this outside of his daily duties serving those with developmental disabilities. Bobby devoted many hours to BikeFest and the Fowlstown Volunteer Fire Department, where he served for over 25 years in many capacities, including as Chief. He loved his family and was always up for an adventure including the 100 Mile Yard Sale.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Lynette Smith Tate; his brother, Ronald Tate and his wife, Martha, of Church Hill, Tenn.; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Debbie and Ben Strickland, Carolyn Sickmon, and Barry Smith; and several nieces and nephews.

Bobby was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jack Roy Tate.