Jean Turner Pate

Jean Louise Turner Pate joined the Church Triumphant on May 17, 2025 at the age of 92. Jean was born on April 29, 1933 in Fair Bluff, NC. After graduating from Fair Bluff High School, Jean attended Greensboro College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Education. Jean worked for many years in Children’s Ministry and as a music teacher and teacher’s assistant for a variety of public schools in NC, as well as working alongside her husband Bruce in ministry with the United Methodist Church. She retired with Bruce in July 1994 to Lake Junaluska, NC. 

Jean’s legacy will be her living example of the love of Christ in her care for and service toward others. She was the biological mother to her daughters Susan and Laura, but was a surrogate and spiritual mother to so many others. Whether it was nurturing generations of children in the classroom or ministering to members of all ages in the multitude of churches that she and Bruce served, Jean’s kindness and caring was constant in every interaction she had. 

Jean was a lifelong United Methodist and true follower of Christ. She was a dedicated member of United Methodist Women (now United Women of Faith) and volunteered with a multitude of organizations, including The Open Door, Second Blessing, Red Bird Missions, Haywood Pathways, Walk to Emmaus, and Habitat for Humanity. She loved to sing and was a member of the church choir and played the handbells and chimes. Jean and Bruce enjoyed traveling together, with a particular highlight being their trip to Oberammergau, Germany to see the Passion Play. During her remaining free time, Jean loved to listen to music (her favorites were Balsam Range and John Denver), read, garden, bake her famous pumpkin bread, and spend time with her beloved family and friends. 

Jean is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Rev. Robert Bruce Pate, her parents, Edith Flora Cox Turner & Marcus Sharpe Turner, and her siblings, John Turner (Adeline), Nell Kullberg (Duane), and Marcus Turner Jr (Rene’). She is survived by her two daughters Susan and Laura (Joe), her two grandchildren Cassidy and Dylan, her dedicated & loving caregivers, and her many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. 

Memorials can be made in her honor to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (https://umcmission.org/umcor/), Heifer International (https://www.heifer.org/), or The Nature Conservancy (https://www.nature.org/en-us/). Condolences can be sent to PO Box 1145, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745.