Elizabeth Hicks "Bettie" Pate

AHOSKIE, NC – On May 3, 2024 Elizabeth (Bettie) Hicks Pate transitioned from Earth to Heaven at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie, NC. Bettie was born Elizabeth Lackey Hicks on August 1, 1935 in Henderson, NC to parents Donald Cade and Mattille Irwin Magee Hicks. Bettie was preceded in death by her grandson Joshua Cade Tucker (Betsy); her mother and father and eleven brothers and sisters: Leah, Robert (Uly), Donald Cade Jr., Joseph, Mattille, Virginia, Thomas, Rebecca, John, Richard, and Helen.
Bettie was the beloved wife of 63 years to Kenneth Pate of Ahoskie. Ken and Bettie moved to Ahoskie in 1989 after raising their children in Alexandria, VA. Bettie is survived by her husband Ken; three children Kevin (Grace), Jeff (Melvalyn), and Betsy Harrell (Colt); ten grandchildren Kim, Bailey, Ben, Lily, Lauren, Brittany, Kara, Lindsey, David, and Allison; and nine great-grandchildren Noah, Gabby, Jillian, Kadence, Hunter, Hannah, Bodie, Reese, and Reagan.
Bettie grew up in Franklinton, NC, graduating from Franklinton High School in 1953. She went on to Louisburg College, earning a degree in accounting. In the late 1950s, Bettie moved from Franklinton to Washington, DC where she lived at the YWCA and worked at Riggs Bank. Her roommate, Irene Bradford (Harrington), was responsible for introducing Bettie to a local musician Ken Pate in the fall of 1960.
Ken and Bettie were married in June 1961 and lived in Washington, DC. After their two sons Kevin and Jeff were born, they moved to Alexandria, VA in 1966 where Betsy was born in 1968. In addition to raising three children, Bettie worked as bookkeeper and then Secretary/Treasurer of Ken-Eddy, Inc. until both she and Ken retired in 1989.
Bettie was highly intelligent, and overcoming a severe hearing impairment, she taught herself to read lips and became an effective communicator. Bettie was an avid reader and collector of mystery, legal thrillers, and romance novels. John Grisham, Nora Roberts, and Danielle Steele were her favorites. Well-known to be a fanatic of UNC sports, especially men's basketball, Bettie also passionately rooted for the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Orioles. She enjoyed word puzzles and was a very competitive board game and card player and until recently, an active member of a bridge club in Murfreesboro. From Skip-Bo to Scrabble, Bettie always played to win.
During her retirement years, Bettie also spent much of her time devoted to flowers, feeding the birds, and making sure her hummingbird feeders were maintained. She was also well known for her excellent cooking skills, which were common among her family. Family gatherings were always sweetened by her delicious banana pudding. Her favorite foods to eat were oysters, crab legs, ice cream, and shrimp. Bettie's favorite restaurant was Red Lobster. Bettie was also fond of telling humorous stories and the occasional naughty joke.
The one thing for which Bettie wished to be remembered is her love and devotion to her family. In this vein, she kept a detailed calendar to mark birthdays and anniversaries of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Bettie was faithful to send cards to all her children to remember these events. Both Ken and Bettie attended Union Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested what Bettie loved most potted or hanging plants, or flowering shrubs to plant or hang at their home.
In tribute to Bettie's love of sports, the family invites you to join them in wearing colors and attire in support of her favorite sports teams: UNC, Washington Redskins, and Baltimore Orioles.
Bettie Pate's life will be celebrated with a service on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service in Ahoskie. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1:00 pm until 1:45 pm at the funeral home.
Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Pate family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.