Joyce Foster Pate

Fayetteville, NC - Mrs. Joyce Foster Pate, 85, formerly of Fayetteville, passed away peacefully December 31, 2022 at her home in East Bend.  She was born February 20, 1937 in Sampson County to the late David Morgan and Selma Lureen Hudson Foster.  Mrs. Pate was a graduate of Meredith College where she received her degree in Education.  She was a retired teacher of Home Economics and Extension in Cumberland County, Snow Hill, NC. She enjoyed volunteering for the church, sewing, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.  Growing up, she was a member of Rowan Baptist Church. She later became a member of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, where she met her late husband, Angus R. Pate. She was a member of Village Baptist Church, where she had been active in the choir, and volunteered in several of the church’s outreach programs, such as, helping minister to numerous Women Shelters, leading in Bible Studies, and witnessing in the community. She loved doing the Christmas Shoe Boxes and supporting missionary groups.  Joyce Pate impacted the lives of so many people, especially the students she taught in the past. Her children recall often meeting her prior students and they always talked about how Mrs. Pate showed them respect, compassion and kindness. She was a mentor to her students and many have said how she greatly impacted their lives and gave them guidance and direction. Many have expressed how she changed their lives and made them better people. Joyce was a very selfless and giving person, and her warm, caring disposition will always be remembered throughout the community.

Her greatest joy was the time she spent being a loving devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her family.  In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Angus Roscoe Pate on October 27, 2022; her daughter, Julie Ann Milana on November 4, 2022; and her brothers, Joel Foster and Jimmie Foster.  Surviving are her beloved children, Susan Pate; Carol Pate Bellanger; David Pate and wife, Jann; grandchildren, Josh Milana, and fiancé, Brooklyn; Amanda Martinez and husband, Leo; Morgan Bellanger; Miranda Bellanger; great-grandson, Leonardo Martinez; and her sister, Jerri Foster Beery and Son-In-Law Tom Milana.  

A Celebration of Life Service will be 2:00 PM Saturday January 14, 2023 at Rowan Baptist Church by Rev. Clay Carter. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00pm-1:45pm, prior to the service. In addition to the Celebration of Life Service for Joyce Pate, the family will also be holding a memorial service for their father, Angus Roscoe Pate, at the closing of the Celebration of Life Service for his beloved wife.