Shirley Sue (Wright) Tate

Shirley Sue (Wright) Tate was born in Piggott, Arkansas, on November 1, 1937 to Herbert Leslie and Ettie (Allman) Wright.

Surrounded by her children, she entered Heaven on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the age of 87.

Shirley retired in 2000 after 32 years of employment at Rector Sportswear. She was a faithful member of First United Pentecostal Church in Piggott where she served in many different roles and was known for her kind and compassionate services to others.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Ettie; husband, Bennie E. Tate; infant daughter, Delilah Speer; three brothers: Paul Wright, Kenneth Wright and Bruce Wright; and one sister, Kathleen Beaver.

She leaves behind her five children: Tony (Vickie) Speer of Indian Trail, North Carolina; Teresa (Olen) Ervin of Paragould, Arkansas; Cindy (Michael) Tarr of White House, Tennessee; Connie Sue (Frank) Scott of Pearcy, Arkansas; and Billy (Teresa) Burr of Piggott. Shirley is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Rachel (Mick) Donahue, Daniel (Kate) Speer, Bradley (Alexis) Ervin, Katrina (Andrew) Francis, Kyle (Ashley) Tarr, John-Mark (Melissa) Tarr, Era (Seth) Parrish, Pamela Scott (Kyle Johnston), James Frank (Lisa) Scott, Jr., Ronald (Kim) Burr and Kevin Burr; 42 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three brothers: Charles Wright, Franklin Wright and Herbert Wright, Jr.; two sisters: Elizabeth McCord and Betty Madill; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and special close friends.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Piggott with Daniel Speer officiating and Tony Speer, eulogist. Burial was in the Piggott Cemetery in Piggott. Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Active pallbearers were Bradley Ervin, Frankie Scott, Ronald Burr, Kevin Burr, Seth Parrish, and Andrew Francis. Honorary pallbearers were Rachel Donahue, Katrina Francis, Kyle Tarr, John-Mark Tarr, Era Parrish, and Pamela Scott.