Frances Lee Kinsey Pate, widow of the late Donald R. Pate, died Thursday evening February 16 at Matthews Glen in Matthews, NC. She was 97, a native of Walterboro and a former resident of Edisto Beach.

Frances was born Jan. 19, 1926 to the late Francis Lee Kinsey and Beulah Hiott Kinsey and grew up with three sisters. An early reader and quick learner, she graduated from Walterboro High School at 15 and Furman University at 19. She then taught typing and worked as a secretary before marrying high school classmate Donald R. Pate on Sept. 3, 1948. They raised two children and lived in North Carolina, Ohio, and Massachusetts before retiring to Edisto Beach in 1983. They were among the six founding members of the Edisto Island United Methodist Church, charter members of the Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society, dedicated civic volunteers, and enthusiastic golfers.

Frances loved her family, friends, church, books, bridge, pets, the beach, travel, theater, crossword puzzles, peaches, and fried shrimp. She was known for her small stature, big heart, positive outlook, unfailing kindness, and entertaining conversation. She and Don were married for 57 years until his death in 2005. She was preceded in death by her sisters Nettie Matthews, Boodie Godwin and Dell McCrea. She leaves behind to cherish her memory: daughter Nancy Pate, Orlando, FL; son Kinny Pate (Ann), Charlotte, NC; grandson Don Pate (Kim), Louisville, KY; granddaughter Kinsey Schultz (Matt), Winston-Salem, NC; great-grandson Eli Pate, Louisville, KY; brother-in-law Robert A. Godwin, Edisto Beach; nieces Paulette Pate Mahon, Meg Herndon, Gail Greer; nephews Douglas McCrea, Richard McCrea, Keith McCrea; many great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held Monday morning, April 17, 2023 at 11:00 at the Edisto Island United Methodist Church.  Committal services will be held later that afternoon at 2:30 at Live Oak Cemetery in Walterboro. Donations in memory of Frances Pate may be made to Hospice Charlotte (hpccr.org),  Edisto Island United Methodist Church, Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society (Edistomuseum.org), or your local library. Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, 117 Paul St., Walterboro, is in charge of arrangements.