Wilson Knight Pate, age 82, of Whitesburg, Georgia, passed away on Monday, August 24, 2026, at Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton.

Mr. Pate was born on August 9, 1944, on Black Dirt Farm in Carroll County, Georgia, the son of the late John Pate and Madelene Carnes Pate. A lifelong resident of the area, Wilson built his life around the things that mattered most to him: faith, family, hard work, and the land he called home.

Wilson proudly served his country in the United States Army before beginning a long and dedicated career with Georgia Power, where he worked as a supervisor in the building and grounds department. In addition to his career with Georgia Power, Wilson was the proud owner of J&W Farm, where he raised cattle for many years. The farm was much more than a pastime; it was an important part of his life and who he was. He took great pride in his cattle, enjoyed the work that came with caring for them, and found deep satisfaction in farm life. A true cattleman at heart, Wilson valued hard work, responsibility, and the simple pleasure of spending his days on the land he loved.

For 60 years, Wilson shared his life with his beloved wife, Brenda Simpson Pate. Their marriage spanned six decades, and through all of life's seasons, they built a home and family together rooted in love, commitment, and devotion.

Wilson was a man of deep faith, and his life reflected the values of his upbringing and the community he loved. He will be remembered as a hardworking and steadfast man who took pride in providing for his family, remained deeply connected to his Carroll County roots, and found fulfillment in a life built through service, family, and hard work.

Along with his parents, Wilson was preceded in death by two of his children, Mary Jean Pate and John Wilson Pate.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Brenda Simpson Pate; his son, Jayson Pate; his grandchildren, John Pate and Asher Pate; his cousin, Renee Harris; and a number of extended family members and friends who will cherish his memory.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Antioch Baptist Church in Whitesburg, with Pastor Alvin Hunnicutt officiating. Interment will follow in Antioch Cemetery. Ronnie Pate, Ricky Carnes, Josh Garner, John Danny Pate, Danny Pate, and Billy Pate will serve as pallbearers. Wendall Carnes, Seth Hendley, Brad McGinnis, John Pate, and Asher Pate will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday from 11:00 AM until 1:30 PM prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to Antioch Cemetery, c/o Steve Campbell, 105 Stonegate Trail, Carrollton, Georgia 30116.

Wilson's life was one of quiet dedication to his country, his work, his farm, his community, and, above all, the family with whom he shared it. After 82 years rooted in the same West Georgia soil where his story began, he leaves behind the lasting example of a life faithfully and steadily lived.

Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel is honored to serve the Pate family.