Sallie Claudette (Patsy) Cates

Published 4:36 pm Thursday, September 19, 2019

Sallie Claudette (Patsy) Cates, 85, a resident of Carter County for 73 years, passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, with her family present and under the care of Hospice, at her home in Elizabethton, Tenn. She was preceded in death by Joel Cates (son), Joe Matheson (father) and Emma Matheson (mother).
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Bill Cates, and five living children, Bobbie Sue Williams (husband Dennis), Lonnie Dale Cates (wife Doris), Rick Cates (wife Jill), Juanita Nidiffer (husband Brent) and Joyce McWatters (husband Johnny). She is survived by nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Sallie Cates lived in Roan Mountain in the (Holly Hill) area until 1966. She attended Hopson School through elementary and later withdrew to farm with her mother and father. Later, she married (Bill) and became a homemaker, mother, farmer and wildcrafter to help supplement the family income. She spent most of her time farming and raising kids. She attended Little Mountain Baptist Church for many years in Roan Mountain in her younger years and remained faithful in her belief.
She (granny) told inspirational stories of farming, herb hunting and riding the Tweetsie from Roan Mountain to neighboring towns. She loved her family and was very proud of each one of them. She kept up on family news of siblings and grandchildren and shared it with the rest of the family. There was no need for Facebook. She loved nature and enjoyed the simple life. She invested into the lives and the needs of those around her. Sallie supported WHCB Christian radio and St. Jude Children’s Hospital with a monthly gift. She remembered birthdays and made homemade candy for each family during the Christmas holiday. She will forever be remembered with phrases such as: “It’ll be alright” and “Things will get better.” Her legacy of Appalachia, love, simplicity and hard work will continue in the lives of her children and grandchildren.
The family wishes to express their utmost gratitude during our time of loss to all those who visited, called, texted and brought food. A special thank you to all that provided care for our mother during her extended illness.
Donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in memory of Sallie (Patsy) Cates, may be made in lieu of flowers. Mrs. Cates’s Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, September 22, at Roan Mountain United Methodist Church at 4:30 p.m. Friends of the family wishing to visit may arrive between 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For directions, please call 423-707-4514.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Cates family.