Margaret Ann (Smith) Tate, 77, passed away peacefully at her home in Canyon, Texas, on August 30, 2025.

Margaret was born on December 27, 1947, in Nashville, Tennessee. She graduated from Oakhaven High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and a master’s degree in English from West Texas State University.

The family will receive visitors this Friday, September 5, 2025, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 63 Hunsley Road, Canyon Texas.
A service to honor Margaret’s life will be held at the same location on Saturday, September 6, at 11:00 a.m.

Margaret was the eldest of three children of Nathan and Yvonne Smith and married her high school sweetheart, Bruce Tate, and together they shared 58 wonderful years of marriage. Their life together was full of adventure. They lived all over the United States and traveled extensively around the world.

Margaret taught piano lessons while her children were young, sharing her love of music with many students. After moving to Canyon in 1988 and finishing her master’s degree she taught briefly at Canyon High School before finding her true professional calling as the director of the English as a Second Language International (ESLI) program at West Texas A&M University. There, she taught and nurtured students from across the globe, offering them not only education but kindness, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.

Margaret was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served faithfully throughout her life. She contributed in many roles, including organist, teacher, president of various auxiliaries, and as a temple ordinance worker. Her faith was a steady guide and source of strength in all she did.

Above all, Margaret was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who loved her family deeply. She is survived by her husband, Bruce Tate; her children, Laura Lockwood (Joe), Bruce “Skip” Tate Jr. (Pele), and Julianne Eddy (Keith); grandchildren, Kayla Rawson (Conner), Nathan Lockwood (Sarah), Brice Eddy, Maddie Travis (Nate), Kenzie Burton (Ryan), TJ Lockwood (Hannah), Brayden Eddy, Micah Tate, Brett Eddy, Braxton Eddy, Brooke Eddy, and Mallory Tate; and great-grandchildren, Riley, Harper, Roscoe, and Rowan. She is also survived by her sister, Becky Talbert, and her brother, Nathan “Bud” Smith.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ruby Slippers of Amarillo, Texas (Ruby Slippers Care of The Tin Man Heart Fund 7120 W I-40 Bldg. A STE 105 Amarillo, TX 79106.)