Claretha Pate

Claretha Bryant Pate met her sunset on July 16, 2013 in Tampa Florida. She was born on June 4, 1920 in Camilla GA. to Earley Bryant and Kizzy Ella Monroe Bryant. She was joined by her brother, Nathaniel, three years later. The family relocated to Tampa FL where she grew up and attended public school, graduating from Booker T. Washington High School. The family attended Beulah Baptist Church, under the Pastoral leadership of Rev. Davis, where she began her Christian walk at a young age. After high school, she married Willard Maultsby, from this union they were blessed with two children, Alvin and Rose Marie. The Lord decided to bring Rose back to heaven after eight days. Although the marriage ended, they remained good friends. Some years later Claretha met a handsome solider name Albert Pate who swept her off her feet for 54 years, until the Lord called him home to glory. He lovingly called her "Squirt" since she was so petite standing next to him. From this union they were blessed with four children, Albert Jr; Ellena; Earl and Bryan. During the early years of marriage, she and Albert lived in Seattle, Washington and Colorado Springs, Colorado while he was serving his country. While residing in Colorado Springs, Claretha worked on the Colorado College campus in the women's dormitory as a "dorm mother" to some women older than herself. After his discharge, he moved Claretha to Memphis, Tennessee, where they attended Beulah Baptist Church with his parents and other family members. Continuing her walk with the Lord, she was active with many ministries at the church. The nation's changes around civil rights, Albert felt he should move his family west. He was working for the United States Postal Service and was able to transfer to Colorado. The family joined St. Stephen Baptist Church in Denver under the leadership of Revered Miller, whom they had met while in the military. They soon moved their membership to Zion Baptist Church under the Pastoral leadership of Reverend W.T. Liggins. This became the church home for the Pate family. Claretha's membership has been maintained for over 55 years. Her Christian walk at Zion grew with her work singing in the choir, as Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School, working with the Mission in Circle #7, the Booster's Club and serving as the Church Condolence Clerk for some twenty plus years. As condolence clerk, she felt it was her ministry to visit with each and every family before putting pen to paper. She wanted each condolence to be personal and of comfort to the family. Her great-grand daughters discovered she still has boxes and boxes of the notebooks or sheets of paper where in her handwriting she wrote the condolences. She traveled with her husband to every Layman, Western States Baptist Convention and some of the NBC USA, Inc. Congress of Christian Education Meetings. She worked with the Women's Auxiliary of the Western States Baptist Convention where one year she recognized as one of their "Women of the Year". Claretha was also an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., auxiliary Zeta Amicae of Denver, until her health began to fail. The phone would ring each morning it was Mrs. Margie Steger asking, "Squirt," how are you doing today?" and then shortly after Mrs. Olivia Toles calling with, "How's my friend today?" Before going to be with the Lord Mrs. Margaret Goodseal would call with, "I don't want to get in your business, but….." These friends checked on each other and talked about everything and anything. Sometimes to their children's dismay. Claretha had a love for children and trained to be part of the Early Childhood Education program. She was on staff at the Mariposa Child Care Center then moved to the George Washington Carver Day Care Center where she spent her days until she retired from the field. Besides travelling with her family she had some traits she passed on for generations, she enjoyed shopping. She would go shopping without a dime in her pocket, she called it "window shopping." She would come home pull out her sewing machine and some fabric creating any dress and hat that would put any couture designer to shame. She produced Technicolor long before it's time by taking color pencils, a black and white depictions and by the time she finished drawing you had a beautiful color illustration. From her love of music she made sure her children took music lessons. "Granny" to her grands, great grands, and great great- grandchildren, all doted on her. She loved the attention. The littlest ones enjoyed giving her massages, rubbing her arms and legs with lotion and riding and pushing each other in her wheelchair. Claretha was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Pate, Sr. her daughter, Rose Marie Maultsby; her parents, Earley Bryant and Kizzy Ella Monroe Bryant; and her brother, Nathaniel Bryant. Left behind to cherish her memory, her children: Alvin (Tampa FL), Albert Jr., (Denver), Ellena (Aurora CO), Earl (Baltimore MD), Bryan (Aurora CO). Grandchildren: Jonathan (Shona) (San Antonio TX), Alvinette (Atlanta GA), Taushi (Tampa FL), LaTanya (Rondel) (Denver), Terry (Aurora CO). Great Grandchildren: Auvery, Cairra (Kyle), Christen, Marquell, Selina, TaSharra, Terry Jr., (all of Denver), Jonathan Jr. (San Antonio TX), Taylor, Wayne Eddie (both of Denver). Great Great Grandchildren: Emmanuel, Quintin, O'Ryiah, Cameron, Ja'Lynn (all of Denver). God daughter Valerie (Freddie) Goodseal (Denver). Devoted extended family the Doyles, Colliers, Pedens, and Terrells, cousins, church family and friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funeral Services - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Visitation: 7/26/2013 at 10:00 AM - Zion Baptist Church - 933 East 24th Avenue, Denver, CO
Visitation: 7/25/2013 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 7/26/2013 at 11:00 AM - Zion Baptist Church - 933 East 24th Avenue, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 7/18/2013 - Private Internment - Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 7/26/2013 at 2:30 PM - Family Home - 5473 Odessa Street, Denver, CO