Merble Eugene Pate

Merble Eugene Pate April 28, 1942 – June 1, 2018 Merble Eugene “Gene” Pate, 76, of Lucama passed away Friday. His funeral service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Joyner’s Funeral Home, Wilson. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Black Creek Town Cemetery, Black Creek. Pastor Billy Crabtree will officiate. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening following the service at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson and other times at the home of Kim Howard, his daughter. With honor and pride, Gene served with the US Army. He protected our country during the Korean War and Vietnam War. For eleven years he was with the Wilson County Sheriff’s office. Gene was an avid baseball fan who pulled for the Atlanta Braves, and he loved to fish. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and a friend to all who knew him. Gene was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. Gene is survived by his loving wife of fifty-seven years, Peggy Mercer Pate of the home; his daughters, Pam Taylor of Pinetops, Kim Howard and husband, Greg of Lucama, and Pat Newcomb and husband, Tony of Kenly; his grandchildren, Samantha Dupree and husband, Stephen, Rebeka Taylor, Dillan Howard, and wife, Crystal, Ethan Howard, Stacey Newcomb, and Jesse Newcomb; great-grandchild, Mallory Newcomb, and his sister, Vicky Blizzard of Wilson. He was preceded in death by his son, Dean Pate. Flowers are welcome, or please consider memorials to Joyner’s Funeral Home, PO Box 425, Wilson, North Carolina to help with Gene’s end of life expenses. Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.