Virginia Tate Obituary

Virginia Bass Tate
CEO of the Tate Family and The Boss Lady
Virginia Bass Tate died peacefully at age 71 on Friday, October 4, 2024 surrounded by her family. Born on July 1, 1953 to Beaty and Pat Bass in Rutherfordton, NC, she was the youngest of four children, after her brother Beaty and sisters Emily and Patsy Hope.
In her early adulthood, she moved to Chapel Hill, NC. She was a member of the South Orange Rescue Squad in Carrboro, NC, where she met and fell in love with her husband, Michael Noah Tate. They were married on December 17, 1977 in Virginia's childhood home in Rutherfordton, NC. They had their first child, daughter Kathryn Hope in 1981. They moved to Lexington, KY in 1982 where they had their two sons Michael Davis and Peter Noah in 1984 and 1987, respectively. They then moved to Hickory, NC in 1988.
Virginia created beauty and welcome for anyone who knew her. To say Virginia was an avid gardener is an understatement. She was a Master Gardener, briefly ran a landscape company, and expertly ran her own trackhoe and other farm equipment. She was also active at Northminster Presbyterian church, where she served as clerk of session and sang in the choir. In 1994, Virginia and Michael bought their property in Ashe County, NC where Virginia's true life's work began. She dreamed into being a true Eden in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It served as her retreat and sanctuary, but it was also her greatest joy to share it with others. She believed strongly in conserving these natural spaces and Chaired the Board of Directors of the Blue Ridge Land Trust (now Blue Ridge Conservancy). Virginia and Michael also raised grass-fed beef and goats on their property, creating Ripshin Farms. Here as well, Virginia showed her adaptability and curiosity and dove headfirst into learning the ins and outs of the farming business, and earned the moniker from her children of the "Crazy Goat Lady". Michael and Virginia retired to Ashe County in 2014, spending as much time there as they could as they transitioned to Givens Estates in Asheville starting in 2020.
Virginia will be remembered as a tenacious, curious, generous, and joyful person. Where she went, her laughter followed. She had a beautiful alto singing voice that like everything else, she shared plentifully and generously with those that knew her. She is survived by her husband Michael, sister Patsy Hope Mitchell (husband John Mitchell), her daughter Kathryn Stevenson (husband Clint and children Lucille and Walter), and sons Davis (wife Maria and children Charlie and TBD baby Tate) and Peter (family Jessie Tate and Ryan Monk).
All of those who would like to celebrate Virginia's life are invited to a memorial service and reception on Saturday, October 12th at 1pm at First Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC. In lieu of flowers, we invite people to donate to organizations near and dear to Virginia and her family:
Four Seasons Hospice - fourseasonsfdn.org/ways-to-give/give-today/
Blue Ridge Conservancy - blueridgeconservancy.org/memorials-and-tributes
Greater Lansing Area Development - glad-Nc.org (funds will support Helene recovery efforts)
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