Corine Sellers Tate Gravely

GRAVELY, Corine Sellers Tate, a lifelong citizen of Roanoke City, passed away on September 5, 2009 in Lynchburg, Va. She was born December 4, 1920 to Hallie Burnette Sellers and Charles Wallace Sellers. Twice married, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Earl Wayne Tate and LeRoy Gravely; her sister, Mary Jefferson; and her brother, Thomas Sellers. Survivors are daughters, Dianne Tate Crush and husband, Tom Crush, of Forest and Barbara Tate Moore of Richmond. Corine was a proud grandmother to Andrew Crush, Matthew Crush and Laura Crush Sigler; and great-grandmother to Drew Sigler and Amelia Crush. Corine also had many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Corine graduated from Radford High School and attended Radford College. For many years she worked for Wells and Meagre, Architects, Roanoke City Schools, and Sidney's clothing store as their personnel director. She was a lifelong member of Raleigh Court Methodist Church in Roanoke, where her parents were charter members. She was also a member of the Women's Club of Roanoke. Corine was the matriarch of our family and a great friend to many. Her wisdom and great personality will be remembered by all who knew her. We will always smile when we think of our beloved Corine and laugh when we tell stories of our experiences with her. She was a special lady with many affectionate titles such as "Mama," "Meemaw" and "Rene". Visitation will be held at the downtown chapel of Oakey's Funeral Home, 318 Church Avenue, Roanoke, on September 11, 2009 from noon until 2 p.m., followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. Interment will take place at Fair View Cemetery, Salem Turnpike, Roanoke. Please consider donations in Corine's memory to Raleigh Court United Methodist Church, 1706 Grandin Road, SW, Roanoke, Va. 24015.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.