Ethel Elizabeth Pate, 91, of Waco passed away on Friday, April 13, 2012 at a local hospital. A visitation will be held for Ethel on Sunday, April 15 from 6-8pm at Connally-Compton Funeral Directors. The Funeral Service will be on Monday, April 16 at 10:00am at Parkview Baptist Church.Ethel was born October 27, 1920 in Waco, Texas to Ludie and Ethel Bitner. She was the second oldest of eight children and enjoyed the companionship of her siblings while growing up. She graduated from Waco High School. On February 21, 1957 she married James Jefferson Pate. She was blessed with 3 children when they married and took great pride in raising them as her own. To James she would say "I fell in love with the kids before I fell in love with you". During the war she worked to support the war effort. Ethel loved working in her "little yard" and enjoyed the doves and woodpeckers and hummingbird. She was one of the oldest members of the Parkview Baptist Church. Her family was one of the founding families. She loved her grandchildren more than anything. It was special for her to attend their football games. She was a huge Baylor fan. Ethel looked forward to any opportunity to get together with her family, and attended many family reunions.Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, James; 3 brothers; and 3 sisters.She is survived by her son, Major James K. Pate and wife Sue; daughter, Beverly J. Webb and husband Charlie; Son, Gary G. Pate and wife Janet; Brother, Lynn Bitner and wife Janet; 4 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.The family would like to express their gratitude to the members of the Parkview Baptist Church and to Lakeshore Village Healthcare Center for their exceptional care and kindness.