Louis M. Pate, 88

Louis Milford Pate, Jr., 88, passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 29.

Louis was born Sept. 22, 1936, in Duplin County to Louis Milford Pate, Sr. and Mary Best Pate.

He was preceded in death by a brother, George Pate of Hopewell, Virginia, and a sister, Linda Santmier of Richmond, Virginia.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joyce Garner Pate; three children, Lisa Rosen and husband, Lee, Louis “Chip” Pate III and wife, Catherine, and Frances Hill and husband, James.

He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Toby Rosen, Lane Rosen, Aubrey Hill, Brynn Pate, Quint Hill, Emilia Pate, Sabine Pate, Wesley Hill, and Norah Pate, and by a sister, Beth Pate Perkinson of Richmond, Virginia.

His twenty years in the United States Air Force included proudly serving his country during the Vietnam War, as well as stints in Florida, Nevada, and the UK.

Upon retirement from the Air Force, he joined his father-in-law at Garner Brothers, Inc., a family-owned building supply business in Mount Olive, which eventually led him to a career in politics.

Louis always considered it an honor to serve others. A longtime public servant, he served the town and state he loved in many capacities: as a member of the Mount Olive Board of Commissioners, as Mayor of Mount Olive, as a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and as a State Senator. During his time in the Senate, he served as Deputy President Pro Tempore.

As a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Mount Olive, Louis served in many capacities; he was also a member of the Rotary Club. His deep love of music inspired his dedication to his church choir, Wayne Oratorio Society, and Third Century Singers for many years.

A visitation will be held at First Baptist Church Christian Life Center on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at 4 p.m.

A service to celebrate and honor Louis’s life will follow at First Baptist Church at 5 p.m. Arrangements by Tyndall’s.