Charles Earl Tate

Charles Earl Tate, 76, of Independence, Missouri, leaves behind a legacy shaped by his hands, his spirit, and the love he carried for his family. Born on September 25, 1949, in Thomaston, Alabama, Charles was the son of Annie Pearl Tate and Morris Reaser, whose lives and lineage laid the foundation for the man he would become. His journey carried him far beyond his beginnings. He made his home in Los Angeles, California, where he built not only a life, but a reputation rooted in hard work, resilience, and pride. As a skilled carpenter, he transformed raw materials into lasting structures—quiet testaments to a man who believed in building things that endure.

Charles was a man in motion. He traveled across the United States, collecting stories, experiences, and memories that reflected his curiosity and appreciation for life. Wherever he went, his presence was felt—steady, memorable, and unmistakably his. He found joy in life’s rhythms—in the strike of a bowling pin, in the shuffle of cards, and in the rich sounds of oldies, soul, and blues that could fill any room he entered. A loyal fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Dodgers, he stood by his teams through every high and low. In his later years, he found comfort and connection at the Canasta table, where laughter and competition lived side by side. Above all, Charles was a proud girl dad—a title he carried with deep love, quiet strength, and unwavering pride. It is in this role that his legacy lives most powerfully. He was a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose presence will echo through generations. He is survived by his daughters, Tamara Reeves and Gerica Jackson; his grandchildren, Kevin Timmons Jr. and Tamyra Tyrell; and his great-grandchildren, Keyon and Kingston.

He is also survived by his siblings: Willie James Reaser Sr. (Los Angeles, California), Freddie Reaser (Miami, Florida), Willie Morris Smith (Mobile, Alabama), Lorenzo Fox (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Donald Joe Reaser (Wisconsin), Morries “Moe” Brown (Uniontown, Alabama), Gregory Reaser Sr. (Selma, Alabama), Lucy Dixon (Rochester, New York), and Patrick “Bullet” McCloud (Uniontown, Alabama); along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends whose lives were touched by his own. He was preceded in death by his parents, Annie Pearl Tate-Turner(William) and Morris Reaser, and his siblings: Lonnie Reaser Sr. (Montevallo, Alabama), Theodore “Bear” Glover (Faunsdale, Alabama), Jerome Glover (Brooklyn, New York), Marion Hilson (Virginia), and Aretha Gills (Houston, Texas). Charles passed away on March 16, 2016, in Independence, Missouri—but the life he built, the love he gave, and the memories he created remain. ***In accordance with his wishes, no formal services will be held. Instead, his life will be honored in the stories told, the laughter shared, and the quiet moments where his presence is still felt. Because men like Charles are never truly gone—they live on in what they built, in who they loved, and in the legacy they leave behind.