Mildred (Sue) Tate - Westbrook, age 96, of Purcell, passed away, Sunday September 25, 2016, at the Chickasha Nursing Home.
Mildred Lee Taylor was born January 14, 1920 in Wayne, Oklahoma, the 8th of 9 children born to William Eli Taylor and Rosabelle (Northcutt) Taylor. She started school at a country school north of Wayne called Gallamore at 5 years of age...going the next 11 years at Wayne schools. Sue graduated as Salutorian of her class of approximately 30 or more in May 1938. As chance would have it, she was playing and singing her guitar one day when she caught a local boy’s eye. She fell in love with Noel Andrew Tate, and they were married on July 12, 1938. Noel was the son of Thornton and Dolly Tate. They made their home in Wayne where together they raised 3 children, two sons, Nolan Hoyt Tate of Purcell and Darrell Dwain Tate (deceased) and a daughter, Twana Sue Tate Scalf of Blanchard. Mildred and Noel farmed Thornton Tate’s land for 20 years. Noel and Sue worked hard growing cotton and corn, raising chickens and cattle and whatever needed to be done. They gradually became owners of their own 167 acre farm which is still located on Roper Road east of Wayne. Noel then went to work for the Navy Base at Norman where he learned the trade of pest control; then to FFA as a custodian; and was retired due to heart complications. In 1961 he and Sue started the Tate Termite Control business. Sue and Noel ran this business until 1980. Before Noel’s passing in 1980, Sue and Noel agreed to hand the business to Nolan Tate who still runs this business in Purcell today. When not working, she enjoyed sewing and embroidery and shared many of her handmade quilts with her family and friends. She was active in the Senior Citizen’s Centers of Wayne and Purcell. Sue married Earl Westbrook in 1984, and they made their home in Purcell. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and a friend to many. She will be dearly missed!
She was preceded in death by: Her husbands, Noel Tate and Earl Westbrook; Her son, Darrell Tate; Three Grandchildren: Timothy, Kelly, and Deana Tate Great Grandson: Justin Tate Parents, William and Rosabelle Taylor; Siblings, Infants, Amon and Anna, sister Marie Lewis and Brothers, Hilton, Arnold, Eldon, Doyle and Weldon Taylor.
Mildred leaves behind: Her daughter, Twana Scalf and husband Michael of Blanchard; Son, Nolan Tate of Purcell; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; 6 great great grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 2:00 PM on Thursday, September 29, 2016 at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery in Purcell. Everyone is invited to attend a reception, immediately following the service, which will be held from 3 to 6 PM at the Grand Canadian Theater at 166 W Main Street (walking distance from the Wilson Chapel) to share memories. There will be food and drinks for everyone.
Arrangements by Wilson-Little Funeral Home of Purcell. Send online condolences at wilsonlittle.com