Amelia Ray Pate

Waynesboro, GA — Amelia (“Mimi”) Ray Pate, 74, of 101 Hickory Knoll Drive, Waynesboro, GA, entered into rest to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, March 9, 2025. She was born in Asheville, NC, on November 17, 1950, to Robert L. Pate and Lucy Ray Pate. Funeral services will be held at the Chapel of Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, 2502 Richmond Hill Rd, Augusta, GA, 30906, on Monday, March 17, 2025, with Reverend Rick Nevard officiating. The family will receive friends starting at 2:00PM, with the funeral service at 3:00PM. The internment will be immediately afterward at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2700 Deans Bridge Rd, Augusta, GA, 30906, which is just across the street from Chance & Hydrick. Amelia started her career as a teacher in 1970 serving as a substitute teacher for Richmond County. She graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1974 then taught in the Glascock County, Bibb County, and Richmond County school systems until 1983. Amelia was the STAR Teacher at Glascock County High School in 1974. She earned a Master’s Degree in Vocational Education from Georgia Southern University in 1981. After surviving a ruptured cerebral aneurysm in 1984, Amelia switched careers and opened her florist shop, Amelia’s Buds and Blooms Florist, where she cheerfully served her numerous customers until 2020, when she retired. Amelia also enjoyed singing with the Augusta Chapter of Sweet Adeline’s Chorus for many years. She was a long-time faithful servant and member of Barton Chapel Methodist Church, where she taught adult Sunday School. Amelia was preceded in death by her loving parents, Rev. Robert L. Pate, Jr., and Lucy Ray Pate, and by her older sister, Susan Jacobs. She is survived by her younger sister, Leslie Pye and Dr. Jacques Pye, and their children, Caitlin Cross, Caleb Pye, Avonlea Denney, Jonathan Pye, Jordan Pye, and Olivia Pye, and families; by her niece, Susan Thigpen and Shannon Thigpen, who cared for Amelia for the past eleven months, and her children, Sarah Bohler and Bobbie Rush, and families. She is also survived by nephews J.J. Arquette, Jr. and Robbie Arquette, and families. Additionally, she is survived by her good and long-time friends Reuben Chance, Carol Capers, Tracy Sprankle, and Mike Shaw. Pallbearers will be Caleb Pye, Jonathan Pye, Jordan Pye, Pete Germany, and Jim Bledsoe. Honorary Pallbearers will be Augusta First Church of Nazarene Ladies Bible Study Class. Danielle Farrow, Joanne Cushman, Shirley Kirby, Lydia Askew, Bonnie Rowley, Sue Bacino, Nettie Furr, Erica Jividen, Rhonda White, Cindy Waters, Betty Wayers, Barbara Scott, Theresa Williams. Memorial gifts may be made to Barton Chapel Methodist Church, 3414 Deans Bridge Rd, Augusta, GA, 30906. Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, 2502 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, GA, 30906. www.chanceandhydrick.com

Amelia Ray Pate

November 17, 1950 - March 9, 2025