Sandra Jean Pate

She believed. Sandra Jean Pate ordered her life according to her belief. She was born on March 18, 1943, and she transitioned in the early hours of morning on October 19, 2024.

Sandra, who was the third child, born to James and Sarah Hall, received a formal education starting at Southgate School from September 1949 through June 1954. At that time black children were called colored and not allowed to go to the white schools. In 1954 when the law was passed she started seventh grade September 1954-1955 school year. She continued her education up until June 1960 when she moved to Washington DC to live with a cousin where she furthered her education for a short period of time before getting home sick and returning back home to Newport, Kentucky. This is where she finished her education and graduated from Newport High School in June 1962.

Upon completion of High School, she interviewed for modeling in Cincinnati, Ohio appearing in McCall’s magazine. She then started working at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Covington, Kentucky as a Nurse Aide. It was not easy for Sandra during those years after High School and with the race issues her opportunities were slim. Sandra wanted to belong somewhere. Yes, she had family and friends in her local community where she was loved, but the most important thing for her was to know that God was always in her life. She joined Corinthian Baptist church under the leadership of the late Rev. McKenzie, and this gave her a brand-new start and the greatest comfort and calmness in her life. She made the decision to sing for the Lord and became one of the lead singers in the Corinthian Baptist Church under the directions of Ms. Bertha Bradley who took the interest in all the black young adults, the Word of God said, “for we are God’s fellow workers, you are God’s field”.

She soon fell in love with her childhood sweetheart Charles Pate Jr. got engaged and married on June 12, 1965. She soon moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and found employment at US Playing Card. Charles and Sandra gave birth to three beautiful children, Angela, Tiffany and Charles III.

She leaves to cherish her life, love and legacy to her two daughters, Angela Pate-Grisby (Percy), Tiffany Pate-Williams (Raymond) and son Charles Pate III all of Cincinnati; five brothers James Tyrone Hall (San Diego, California), Jesse Douglas Hall (Gail Lea-Hall), Julius Lee Hall (Katerine Hall) John Hall (Sandra) and Marty Walton; three sisters Geraldine Hutsell, Debra Walton (Frank) and Geri Ann Walton; one brother-in-law Scott Pate; one sister-in-law, Laressa Pate; 10 grandchildren Amber Pate, Ciéra Lynn, Kuimore’ Lynn, Nakya Grisby, Naila Pate, Giavianni Grisby, Aniya Pate, Charlea Pate, Chaniya Pate, and Charles Pate IV; 9 great grandchildren Ciante’, Londyn, Amoni, Nova, Omauri, Kamari, Santanna, Davion, and Dylan; 14 nieces and 19 nephews; and a host of great nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Pate Jr, mother and father James and Sarah Hall, sisters Laverne Hall-Clark, and Lucille Hall, daughter-in-law, Lynisha Pate, brothers-in-law, Jerry Hutsell, Lester Pate, and Terry Pate; and grandson David Lynn Jr.

It’s hard to sum Sandra’s life up on paper. She was 81 years old, that is a lot of memories!! Here we go, she loved to travel although she didn’t drive, that was her preferred way to travel. She loved anything Disney and believe it or not she was still riding rides at amusement parks up until the age of 80. If you visited her you would find her always watching a Madea movie whom she acted like from time to time. After her first cruise she was hook, she loved being on the cruise ships and seeing all the different cultures. She loved her family, and her friends that she often considered family, you would often get a good morning text from her once she learned how to work the cellphone. She sometimes would call you everything but the child of God, but her heart was made of Gold. If you needed anything and she had it, you would need it no more. As you remember Sandy you might remember some bad, but all the good and fun times will shine bright, and a smile will be on your face. She may be gone but never forgotten. Rest easy Job well done. We love you.

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