Gena Carol Moorman Pate

Gena Moorman Pate departed from this earth on the 30th of January 2026, ending her long battle with Alzheimer's, and returned to the Lord and a host of loved ones who came before. She was born in Houston, Texas, on the 2nd of May 1949, the second of six children and the eldest daughter of Anita and Granon Moorman.

From an early age Gena was full of passion and personality. Possessing a beautiful smile, infectious laugh and keen sense of humor, she had a magnetic presence and embodied the idea of never having met a stranger. Gena was blessed with great empathy and a foundational belief in human equality, resulting in authentic care for others and leading her to champion various causes for social justice throughout her life. Simply put: to know Gena was to love Gena, or at minimum to certainly remember her.

Strong-willed and curious by nature, she became the first in her family to graduate from college, earning a degree in education from The University of Houston. Her appreciation for knowledge and higher education endured throughout her life, positively influencing others and later resulting in her own pursuit of a postgraduate degree in psychology.

She loved to travel; given the opportunity, Gena would have explored the world and embraced each new cultural experience along the way. She enjoyed fitness, trading the jogging shoes of youth for gym training and bicycles in midlife, and participating on multiple occasions in the Texas MS 150 cycling event in her 50s. Gena loved timeless music, quality craftsmanship, pleasing aesthetics, comfort food, beach air, thought-provoking books, intelligent discourse, clever movies, classic art, supporting her beloved sports teams and the thrill of a good bargain hunt.

Gena had many roles in life, including community volunteer, teacher, business producer, caregiver and committed friend. But her proudest and most devoted roles were those reserved for family. She loved her parents, brothers and sisters dearly, never missing an occasion to celebrate a big family affair and treasuring the enduring relationships she built with a nearly countless number of relatives.

Perhaps her most important family roles were those which impacted the children in her life. Gena was an endlessly supportive parent, dedicated aunt, and doting grandmother, leading all with love, attention and a selfless commitment of time. Though quality of time with each was brief, Gigi's three grandchildren covet their precious memories of trips to the zoo, days at the park, visits to the shopping mall, and her beaming presence at sporting fields and dance recitals. In an alternate life, Gigi would have poured endless love and support into her cherished grandchildren for many years to come.

Lastly, Gena had one true love in life which carried elements of beauty and sadness. For more than twenty-five years, Gena and Ron built the best life together that they could. Both constantly in search of self-improvement but with an elusive happy ending, they devoted their lives to being the best providers and parents possible. Following Ron's untimely death in 2000, Gena's resilience persisted but the void created by that loss was never fully replaced.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Ashley Pate; grandchildren, Addison, Abigail and Ainsley Pate; sisters, Kay Weber and Lisa Damon, and husband, Jim; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and devoted friends. Gena was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Pate; parents, Anita Moorman Carby and Granon Moorman; and brothers, Dale Moorman, Gary Moorman and Ron Moorman.

There will be a celebration of life service for Gena at two o'clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 26th of February, in the chapel of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street, Houston, TX 77024. Immediately following, all are invited to attend a reception to be held onsite. In lieu of flowers or other customary remembrances, the family suggests that any donations be made on her behalf to Bayou City Blessings in a Backpack (www.bayoucityblessings.org).