This memorial website was created in memory of our beloved Jeannie, who passed away on April 11th, 2017 after a valiant battle with breast cancer. Wanda Jean "Jeannie" Tate, 64, was born on July 5th, 1952 in Four Oaks, North Carolina to the late Ellen (Sutton) Lassiter and Lloyd Lassiter. Her family relocated to Richmond, Virginia, where she attended Douglas Freeman High School and was a proud member of the all girls singing group, the "Downbeats".
Jeannie met the love of her life, Bobby, at a dental office where she worked in the late 1970s. The two reunited on Halloween night in 1979, when she left a note in his mailbox that she had recently moved home to the area and thought they should get together. He invited her to dinner, and the rest is history. The two spent 38 years together enjoying day trips throughout Virginia, making a home in Ashland, and raising their three children.
Jeannie was very successful in the world of retail management, and worked in several positions before her retirement in 2014. The majority of her career was spent at her beloved David's Bridal, where she was known for her caring spirit and motherly nature. She was "Mama Jeannie" to many employees and friends, and loved her "DB family" dearly.
Jeannie is survived by her loving husband, Bob Tate, her children, Holly (Tate) Collins and husband Matt, Anna (Tate) Mann and husband Taylor, and son Matthew. She was also a proud Mimi to her granddaughter Charlotte. Additionally, she is survived by her sister Glenda Henning and husband Bob, sister Sandy Lindsey and husband Keith, brother Randy, and brother-in-law Tom and wife Marilyn, as well as many wonderful nieces, nephews, and other family members. She was greeted in heaven by her precious granddaughter Lynlee, as well as her parents. Just before she passed away, she was thrilled to learn she was going to be a Mimi again in August to a baby grandson.
Jeannie loved life most when she could curl up on the porch with a good book, have lunch with one of her many friends, or spend a vacation day at the beach. She also loved to go antique shopping, watch her favorite shows on HGTV, and spend time with her grandbabies. Her greatest passion was music, and she shared her love for singing and beautiful voice at every opportunity she could. She also had a weak spot for anything chocolate, and loved to collect things that involved her cherished "Scottie" dogs. She often mentioned that she dreamed of sailing off into the sunset on a giant catamaran, or visiting Tuscany, something that her family plans to one day accomplish in her memory.
A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Jeannie on Wednesday, April 19th at 4pm in the Robins Room at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens (1800 Lakeside Ave. Richmond, VA 23228). A reception will follow. The family is asking that all of those in attendance wear bright, spring colors in honor of Jeannie's love for color! In lieu of flowers, we will be dedicating a memorial bench to honor Jeannie and Lynlee at Lewis Ginter, a place that the two of them spent much treasured time together. To make a donation, checks may be sent directly to Lewis Ginter and a note may be made at the bottom that states "In honor of Jeannie Tate and Lynlee Collins", or an online contribution may be made via the giving form. To do this, you may go to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Home Page, click on Support and then click on Give and complete the requested information.
Jeannie loved deeply and was deeply loved. The hardest part about losing her is not having her here as our source of comfort during this time, as she is exactly who we all would have turned to. She will forever be known for giving the warmest hugs and the best advice. She was absolutely joyful and will be missed beyond measure.
