Joseph Jennings Tate

May 16, 1938 - June 3, 2014
Funeral services were held for Joseph Jennings Tate, 76, of Ville Platte, at Our Lady Queen of All Saints Catholic Church in Ville Platte at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 4. Burial followed in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
A loyal and dutiful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Mr. Tate died Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at his residence surrounded by his devoted family. He was a lifelong resident of Ville Platte who owned and operated the Joe Tate Commission Barn. He was also a well known and highly respected horse trainer at The Fair Grounds in New Orleans. His work defined him to many people, but not in his eyes. His greatest job and joy was providing for his beloved family. He took every chance he could to spend time with them, cooking, joking and being the kind of husband, father and grandfather every family should be lucky enough to have.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 57 years, Bernadese “Dee” Dupre Tate of Ville Platte; and their precious children, Kevin Tate and his wife, Tammy, of Opelousas, Karen Duplechin and her husband, Blake, of Baton Rouge, Jody Tate and his wife, Carol, of Hartford, Connecticut, Ann Fontenot and her husband, Chad, of Ville Platte and Ricky Tate and his wife, Christy, of Vidrine. His memory will be forever cherished by his grandchildren, Michelle West, Tiffany Tate, Ashlyn and Benjamin Tate, Alex Duplechin and his wife, Meghan, Jennifer Oberthier and her husband, Justin, Hannah and Nicole Tate, C J Hesnor, Zachary, Adam and Elizabeth Fontenot and Caden and Ty Tate. Jennings was blessed with three great-grandchildren, Austin and Andrew West and Bennett Duplichin. They were the absolute light of his life and his greatest joy here on earth. Also left behind to mourn are a host of nieces, nephews and countless friends, whom are sure to recount his stories and antics for years to come.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Clemence Deville Tate; and his siblings, Alvin “Bud” Tate, George Tate, Inez Tate Morein and Theresa Tate Ortego.
Father Jason Vidrine officiated.
Family and friends may view the online obituary and/or sign the guestbook at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.
Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Ville Platte was in charge of arrangements.