The Christian Heart takes a break from our usual stories to tell you about one of our own who went to be with The Lord on June 23, 2021.
Lenora Pate served on the Board of Directors of The Christian Heart and AllWorship ministries for 23 years. She truly exemplified what The Christian Heart is all about. Our ministry tells what everyday people do to show their love for Jesus.
Lenora displayed her love for Him in every aspect of her life, but she was far from “everyday.” Professionally, she was one of the top lawyers in the state of Alabama, ranking as a “Best Lawyer in America” for healthcare law for 14 straight years. She was the first woman Director of the Department of Industrial Relations in our state’s history, served as Chair of the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform from 2003-2020, and even ran for Governor of Alabama with a “Pate in ’98” campaign.
But it’s how she gave of herself and loved The Lord that made Lenora so special. To be around her was to see a heart on fire for God and her fellow man. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother of two boys and “Mimi” to five grandchildren. She took time to mentor countless young ladies, both personally and professionally. She taught an adult Sunday School class at her church for two decades. She was one of the most charitable people we’ve ever known, always looking for ways to enrich the lives of as many people as she could. She served on the Board of Directors of countless organizations including the American Cancer Society, where she raised funds and awareness to support research for cancer, the disease she battled with grace and optimism for over 21 years.
When you saw Lenora, no matter what health challenges she was battling, her faith shined through. Her love for Jesus glowed from her in everything she did. And she looked at any situation with compassion and love. She was brilliant, but exceedingly kind, humble, giving and patient. She genuinely modeled how the love of Christ should be expressed.
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
3 Comments
Dawn
July 13, 2021 at 9:21 amShe sounds like she was a wonderful, godly woman. What a sad loss.
Rod McSweeney
July 14, 2021 at 5:50 amShe was the sweetest person I have ever worked with. In the times Reality Radio was having some of its hardest challenges, I always looked forward to seeing her at our Board meetings so I could listen to her encouragement and wisdom. And I always left those meetings a better person than I came because I saw the love of God in her EVERY time. I am thankful I was able to be a friend of, and fellow Christian with Lenora Pate. Well done to an awesome and incredible servant of The Living God!!!
Shelaine Jackson-Brown
July 15, 2021 at 8:10 pmMay her soul rest in peace.