Willie Mae Pate

A woman of faith and family, Mrs. Willie Mae Pate, affectionately known as “Mama Mae” answered the Lord’s call on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at home surrounded by her loved ones.  She was born in Cassatt, South Carolina, on November 23, 1927, to the late Deacon Willie Lewis, Jr. and Alice Lewis.  She was the oldest of seven siblings.  

At an early age, she joined Canty Hill Baptist Church in Cassatt, South Carolina, where she gave her life to the Lord and devoted her life to Him until He called her home.

She married Hueston Pate, Sr. and from that union, three children were born, Hueston, Jr., Willie and Gloria.  They relocated to Newark, New Jersey and joined Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, where Hueston became a deacon and Willie Mae became a deaconess. She moved back to Camden, South Carolina with her husband in the early 2000s and reunited with Canty Hill Baptist Church, where she joined the senior choir and remained a member until she passed.

Family meant everything to her.  She shared an unbreakable bond with her beloved brothers and sisters and always found joy in the presence of those she held dear. To know her was to love her. Her radiant smile, unmistakable laugh and larger than life personality lit up every room she entered.  Strong in her convictions and rich in heart, she was both deeply loving and unapologetically herself.  She loved to fill your stomach with some of that good cooking of hers! She was a truly unforgettable soul. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hueston Pate, Sr.; three brothers, James Lewis, Andrew Lewis and Henry Lewis; two sisters, Mary Alice Grant and Izetta Whitely.

Willie Mae leaves to cherish her memory three children, Hueston Pate, Jr. of Camden, SC, Willie James (Marilyn) Pate of Jackson, TN and Gloria Pate of Camden, SC; ten grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchilden and a  host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

A special recognition to Grace Richardson and Mr. Ricky Goodwin.  They called every day to check on her to make sure she was okay.

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