Virginia "June" (Brockett) Tate

Virginia June (Brockett) Tate, 89, of Evansville passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020 at the Walnut Creek Alzheimer’s Special Care Center in Evansville, IN. She was born October 10, 1931 in McLeansboro, Illinois to the late Harry and Louella (Wooldridge) Brockett.

June graduated from the University of Evansville, earning both a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degree in education and acquiring a specific certification in teaching reading skills. She retired from the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation as a primary school teacher for first and second graders.

June was an attentive observer of the social and academic development of young children. She believed that reading and language skills, taught with warmth and seriousness, were key tools for a better life in a complex world. Outside the classroom, June was an avid seamstress. She loved to laugh with her children during afternoon reruns of the “Dick Van Dyke” and “I Love Lucy” shows.

June, a disciple of Christ, committed her life to the Lord, confident in his love and grace. Her decades of service in the churches she attended included teaching Sunday School to both young adults and married couples; often being asked to fill in at Sunday and mid-week services for pastors who were on vacation; and serving as chair of a board of deacons, which was responsible for her church’s building and grounds. Particularly for teenagers and young adults, June and her husband, Ralph, thought that church should be a blast of fun and a place for beautiful, spiritual growth and arranged for road trips to places such as Kentucky Lake and Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park. Her favorite memories were singing in choirs and with her Mom, sister, and brothers around the piano. At her death, she was a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Evansville. The everlasting mission of her and her husband, Ralph, is to “dwell in the house of the Lord forever”.

June is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, Ralph Tate, Jr. She is survived by her son, Ralph E. (Susan) Tate, of Arlington, TX, and her daughter, Lisa June Tate, of Takoma Park, MD. She is also survived by her sister, Sherry (John) Huffstutler; her brothers Wayland (Georgiana) Brockett, Eugene (Donna) Brockett, Joseph (Joye) Brockett, and Barney (Charlotte) Brockett; and by her remarkable niece and nephews of whom she was very fond.

Graveside Service will be Private on Friday, January 8, 2021, at Old Smith Cemetery with Reverend J.T. Silence officiating.

Visitation will be Private on Friday, January 8, 2021 at BOONE FUNERAL HOME EAST CHAPEL.

Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

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