Sammie Ann Thacker Tate

Sammie Ann Thacker Tate, 73, of Travelers Rest, SC, entered her eternal rest on Thursday, November 27, 2025, a Thanksgiving Day which brought the loss of a great treasure. She was the daughter of the late Joseph Jackson Thacker and Emmie Erskine Thacker, born at the family home on January 18, 1952. On April 1, 1972, she married her true love, Robert Mitchell Tate, at Pretty Place Chapel, Greenville, SC. After fifty-three years of marriage, Sammie is survived by her husband Robert, her son Robert Mitchell Tate, Jr.(Ann Marie) of Phoenix, AZ, Jessica Emily Tate(Jason) of Clinton, SC, and Elizabeth Thacker Tate(Vincent) of Greenville, SC. She is also survived by her ten grandchildren: Joseph Paul Tate, Gabriel Matthew Tate, and Dominick Xavier Tate of Phoenix, AZ, Nadia Sydney Tate, Oliver Paul Stephens, Penelope Grace Tate-Stephens, and Eloise Jenny Tate-Stephens of Clinton, SC, and Scarlett Mae Quinteros, Hazel Eve Quinteros, and Vincent Gray Quinteros of Greenville, SC. Sammie studied at North Greenville University and at the age of nineteen she began her career in nursing. She continued her studies at Clemson University, proudly graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2008 with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Sammie’s nursing journey spanned forty-five years of loving service. She retired in 2017 to pursue new chapters of unwritten stories. Sammie never met a stranger, loved her small corner of the world in the Travelers Rest community, and gave her whole self to all she pursued. She loved nature, feeding and watching hummingbirds, and the beauty of fragrance of crape myrtle trees planted at the farm. She was perfectly suited for the path of her profession and as a wife, mother, grandmother, or friend, she presented the face of genuine honesty with love and compassion which was a refreshing welcome to all who knew and respected her. Sammie had many interests and was involved in a variety of organizations. She was a member of the Swamp Rabbit Quilt Guild, Busy Bees Quilt Guild, served on the hospital system recreation committee for 20 years, served as Mrs. Claus for ten years in Greenville, SC, was a long-time member and supporter of Girl Scouts of America, and Hammers and Harmony Band. She enjoyed many interests from reading, gardening, quilting, sewing, and anything Wizard of Oz, to various sports, including fishing with Robert. She made precious gifts she shared with her family and friends, as a needle in her hand was like a paintbrush in the hand of an artist. She recently posted a quote on Facebook this past September which said-“I sew because it makes the world feel softer, kinder, and a little more comfortable.” No better phrase can express Sammie’s heart as a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, and a friend. She could tend to a broken spirit as if taking torn fabric of the human soul and applying gentle worlds like stitches of love and friendship to restore the broken to wholeness again. Sammie was truly a rare treasure. The family will receive friends Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 2:00pm until 4:00pm at The Howze Mortuary in Travelers Rest, SC. Memorial services will be Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 4:00pm at The Howze Mortuary Chapel in Travelers Rest, SC, conducted by Rev. Dr. Brian Wyatt. The family will be at their respective homes. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made as follows, you may either plant a Crepe Myrtle tree in the spring or make a donation to Lucky Pup Rescue SC, Greenville, SC.

Sammie Ann Thacker Tate

January 18, 1952 - November 27, 2025