Carmen Cate, 94, of rural Simpson, IL, formerly of Golconda, IL, departed this life to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday evening, December 14, 2017.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, December 21, 2017, 2:00 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church, 5187 Old Marion Road, Metropolis, IL. Rev. Kent Hollis will be conducting the funeral service, with burial in the church cemetery. There will be no visitation.
Carmen was born in West Tulsa, Oklahoma on January 29, 1923, the daughter of George and Elma Henke Elgin of Tulsa.
After graduating from Will Rodgers High School, she attended and graduated from a business school in Tulsa. She then worked as a secretary for an attorney in Tulsa.
On April 22, 1945 Carmen was united in marriage to H.A. "Bob" Cate, they celebrated 62 years of marriage prior to Bob's death in 2008.
After Bob's graduation from the University of Illinois, they moved to Southern Illinois where Bob joined the staff of the Dixon Springs Experiment Station. Here they experienced the joy of seeing their family grow and develop. During this time they became involved in church and community activities.
Carmen served many years as a 4-H Club leader, "patiently helping young people to make the best better," which is the 4-H Club motto.
One of Carmen's great joys was her participation in the Homemakers Education Association where she was involved in roles of service and leadership for over 71 years.
Of major importance in Carmen's life was her family and her personal involvement with St. John Lutheran Church of Metropolis. Carmen was a 60 plus year member of the church. She served in many capacities, such as a Sunday school teacher, helping with Bible School, and Junior Lutherans. In her later years, she and her husband Bob were involved in the church's tape ministry of taking God's word to those who were unable to attend church.
Carmen held her involvement and labors as a wife, mother and active Christian in the community as some of the most enduring and important contributions to those around her. To those who knew her she truly brought the fragrance of Christ by her kind and gentle spirit.
Her mother and father, George and Elma Henke Elgin; her husband, H.A. "Bob" Cate; and her son, Michael Cate, preceded her in death.
She is survived by two children, her daughter, Cindy and her husband Philip Robinson, of rural Simpson, IL; her daughter Debbie and her husband, Bob Allison, of Big Sandy, TX; her daughter-in-law Kay King Cate, of Golconda, IL; her daughter-in-law Debbie Anderson Cate, of Benton, KY; her three grandchildren, Eric Cate and his wife Katy of Evansville, IN; Michael Allison and his wife Evelyn of Gilmer, TX; Drew Allison and his wife Brieta of Longview, TX; her three great-grandchildren, Vance, Brennan and Christian Allison of Longview, TX.
One of her favorite Bible verses was Psalm 118:24 "This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Saint John Lutheran Church, 5187 Old Marion Road, Metropolis, IL 62960.
Arrangements are entrusted to Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home Metropolis.
Cemetery Details
St. John's Lutheran Church Cemetery
5187 Old Marion Road
Metropolis, IL, 62960
Service
DEC 21. 02:00 PM
St John Lutheran Church
5187 Old Marion Road
Metropolis, IL, US, 62960
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