Barbara Ann Williford Tate entered the Kingdom of Heaven on August 4, 2020 in Jacksonville, Texas.

Barbara was born May 20, 1947 in Odessa, Texas to Durward Victor “D.V.” and Nettie Ann Boynton Williford.  She graduated from Odessa High School and attended Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas where she met and married her husband of 53 years, James "Jim" B. Tate, Jr. They raised two daughters, Debra DeAnn Tate Espinosa and Rachel Renae Tate Glidewell.

 A member of Friendship Baptist Church where Jim serves as music minister, Barbara was known to friends and family as an "Angel of Prayer." Her greatest gift of service was staying in communion with her Heavenly Father as a prayer warrior on behalf of friends and loved ones.  She served the children of East Side Elementary as a paraprofessional teaching assistant. She was well loved by faculty, staff, and families, even after retirement.

 Left to cherish her memory are her husband Jim, daughters Debra Espinosa and husband Roberto of Austin, Texas, and Rachel Glidewell and husband David of Jacksonville, Texas, four grandchildren, Kyndle Rae Glidewell, Andrew Davis Glidewell, Hugo Tate Espinosa, and Max Tate Espinosa, her brother Pastor Victor Williford and his wife Deb of Almogordo, New Mexico,  sister-in-law Patty Sue Tate of Granbury, Texas, sister-in-law Kathy Lou Thompson and her husband Roy of Granbury, Texas, Aunt Neva Williford Crumley of Arlington, Texas, Aunt Ann Williford Ellis of Comanche, Texas, and numerous beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, as well as her church family.

 A Celebration of Life honoring Barbara will be held outdoors at Friendship Baptist Church 6065 CR 3305 in Jacksonville, Texas on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 10:00 A.M. with internment at Corine Cemetery immediately to follow. The Reverend Alan Wallace will officiate. Cousin Elizabeth Wallace, Ph.D. of Howard Payne University will accompany cousin Ross Ellis on piano.  The service is under the direction of Boren Conner Funeral Home. While we will practice precautions and social distancing due to Covid-19, we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the life of Barbara together.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friendship Baptist Church (treasurer address 740 CR 3301 Jacksonville, Texas 75766) or The Clothes Closet 314 S. Main Jacksonville, Texas 75766.

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone.”