Gennell "Topsy" Tate

Asheville Gennell Brooks Tate, 82, of Asheville, died Thursday, January 19, 2006 at Mission St. Joseph Health System. Mrs. Tate was born December 9, 1923 to the late William Curtis Brooks of Balsam and the late Myrtle Patton Brooks of Haywood County. She was the granddaughter of the late John Wesley Patton and Katherine Powers of Haywood County. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Everette Britt Tate, Sr., formerly of Asheville; her sisters: Hazel Brooks Smith and Ruth Brooks Rotowitz; and brothers, Jack and Aldon Brooks. She is survived by her son, Everette Britt Tate, Jr. and wife Valerie Riddle Tate of Lexington, NC. She was blessed with three grandchildren: Everette Britt Tate, III and wife Michelle Corn Tate of Easley, SC, Sophie Tate Wagner and husband Jeremy Wagner of Hickory and Nancy Brooks Tate of Charlotte. She also had a great-granddaughter, Georgia Rhyan Tate of Easley, SC; sisters: Helen Brooks Gentry McDarris and Jeanne Brooks Rathburn, both of Asheville; and a brother, Harold Brooks of Long Beach, CA. Topsy was a graduate of Woodfin High School. She was an outstanding athlete and was named All Western NC in basketball. She retired from the US Government as a meteorology technician for the US Air Force. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. Topsys fun-loving personality and kind-hearted nature embraced all who knew her. The family requests that memorials be sent to the American Heart Society, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM Monday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dr. Ralph May officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.