Sam Shepard Pate, Jr.

Sam Shepard Pate, Jr., 83, of Mitchell County, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Columbus Hospice.

Born on January 19, 1943, in Albany, he was the son of the late Sam Shepard Pate, Sr. and Harriette Swartz Pate. Sam graduated from Albany High School and attended South Georgia Technical College in Americus. He worked at the Railroad Express Company in his earlier years and later retired from the United States Postal Service. Throughout his life, his deep love for family, friends, and Jesus Christ remained evident. He attended many churches over the years, sharing his faith at First Baptist of Putney and finding warm friendship there. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he continued to deepen his love of the gospel and his Savior.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Pate was preceded in death by his son, Kim Delray Pate, his brother, Harry “Punky” Pate, and his brother-in-law, Wendell Hodges.

He is survived by his daughter, Tina LaNell Ortiz and Robert of Ocklawaha, Florida; his sisters, Phyllis Pate Hodges of Putney and Linda Pate Giggey and Pat of Putney; grandchildren Anthony Ortiz, Jacob Ortiz, Bonita Ortiz, Amber Pate, and Alec Pate; great-grandchildren Olivia Rose Ortiz, Tyler Scott Ortiz, Dominick Robert Ortiz-Harrell, and Isabella Marie Hodge; and several nieces, nephews, and extended family members.