Mrs. Queen Esther Pate

September 8, 1934 - November 20, 2020

Mother Queen Esther (Neal) Pate, 86, of Peoria, IL transitioned peacefully at 5:27 am on Friday, November 20, 2020 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. Queen known to those who loved her dearly as “Queenie” was born on September 8, 1934 in Brooksville, MS to Ed and Molly (Sheridan) Neal. She was raised in Arkansas and later moved to McKenzie, TN where she later met the love of her life and soulmate Willie B. Pate. They married in 1954 and enjoyed a loving marriage until his passing in 2009. She later moved to Chicago, IL, then Bloomington, IL and finally resided in Peoria, IL. Queen was employed at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Housekeeping for over 30 years retiring on August 20, 2008. Mother Pate was a beautiful soul to many in the community. She cherished her family dearly and loved to worship the lord. Queen leaves to cherish her most precious memory three sons, Conzelouis (Cindy) Pate of Bloomington, IL, Willie Pate, Jr. and Jimmy Pate both of Peoria, IL; two daughters, Louise (JL) Houston and Hattie “Penny” Pate both of Peoria 25 grandchildren, 66 great grandchildren, 28 great greatgrandchildren, a special niece, Dorothy Boyd and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband; five sons, Benny and Sammy Bowden, Otis, Robert and Hamilton Pate; one daughter, Luetha Pate; 3 brothers, John Dee, Sammie Day and Harrison “RC” Neal; 4 sisters, Georgia May, Mary Johnson, Anne Bea Young and Gracie Chalk; 1 grandson, Jimmy Cory Wadlington and 1 granddaughter and 2 great grandchildren, Terrell Joseph and Kaitlyn Pate. A private funeral service will be held at 11 am on Friday, December 4, 2020 at Faith Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C. with a visitation beginning at 10 am. Elder Felton Beck, Jr. will bring words of comfort. Queen will be laid to rest at Parkview Cemetery. Simons Mortuary is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at SimonsMortuary.com. The funeral service will be live streamed on Simons Mortuary's Website or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Simons-Mortuary-232095303487150 promptly AT THE TIME OF THE SERVICE. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, social distancing and attendance limits will be observed. In accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health, Funerals are limited to 10 family members of the decedents, not including the staff. To be consistent with recommendations from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), funeral home directors have been instructed and should follow CDC guidelines on gatherings, including those directly related to funerals, visitations, or graveside services. Funerals are limited to no more than 10 of the decedent’s immediate family members. *In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we ask that everyone in attendance: wear a face mask and refrain from hugging, kissing and shaking hands (as hard as it is to see someone you care about and not touch them). *It is our responsibility as a Funeral Directors, to do everything we can to advise families in order to honor our beloved Families and to keep everyone as safe as possible. The chapel can socially distance and seat no more than 10 or less people. All others will be able to flow through prior to beginning of the service. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!