Shirley Richard Tate Obituary
It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Shirley Richard Tate in Opelousas, Louisiana, who passed away. Family and friends can send flowers and/or light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Shirley Richard Tate to show support.
She was predeceased by: her husband Ira M. Tate Sr.; her daughter Iris Marie; her grandson Jacob Mitchell Tate; her stepgrandchildren, Kaitlyn Bellow, Bailey Bellow and Brooklyn Bellow; her parents, Odon Richard and Gertie Richard; her sister Rita Richard; her son-in-law Ted Hebert; and her brother-in-law Louis Lagrange.
She is survived by: her children, James Roger Tate (Rhonda) of Opelousas, Rodney Joseph Tate (Melissa) of Opelousas, Ira Michael Tate, Jr. of Opelousas, Mary Gail Hebert of Judice, Glenda Tate Fontenot (Jody) of Ville Platte and Cynthia Tate Pryor (Brett) of Lafayette; her sisters, Gertie Lagrange of Leonville and Barbara Soileau (Paul) of New Iberia; and her grandchildren, Kevin Hebert (Amy), Denise Hebert, Ronald Hebert, Jeremy Hebert, Jordan Tate (Brandi), Christopher Tate (Lainey), Phillip Tate, Joel Tate, Elizabeth Fontenot, John Michael Fontenot (Courtney), Daniel Fontenot (Kari), Bradley Michael Tate (Shandale), Nicholas Adam Tate, James Allen Tate, Luke Pryor (Madison), Paul Pryor and Sara Pryor. She is also survived by fourteen great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
Visitation was held on Friday, November 14th 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 7:30 AM at the Melancon Funeral Home (4708 I-49 Frontage Rd, Opelousas, LA 70570). A rosary was held on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 7:00 PM at the same location. A Mass of Christian burial was held on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 10:30 AM at the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church (174 Church St, Grand Coteau, LA 70541).
