This obituary was originally published on Rogers & Breece Funeral Home.
Lela Pate, 84, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her family. Lela was born on March 31, 1942, in Fayetteville, NC, to the late Albert and Lucille Gibert.
Lela was preceded in death by her husband, Julius (Junior); brothers and sisters Sherrill, Clinton, Janet, Mitchell, and Wallace; her daughter, Donna Rocha; and her great grandson, Izayah Rypdahl.
Lela is survived by her daughters, Cynthia Puckett, of Hope Mills, NC, Kim Matone, of Dunn, NC, and Miriam Kulwicki, of Myrtle Beach, SC; her son in law, Robert Rocha; her grandchildren, Elena Rocha-Maldonado (Ramsey), Mike Kinsaul (Caleb), James Puckett (Amanda), Tessa Rypdahl, Cheyenne Pate, Julius Escalera, Joe Kulwick IV; her great grandchildren, Ram and Mia Maldonado, Luke and Charlie Kinsaul, Jayce and Carter Puckett, and Haydin Escalera; her sister, Ross Ann Ring; the ‘Golden Girl’ sisters, Rosa Lee Previtte, Linda Trimnal, and Ruth Farley; along with many more nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Lela Pate was a very loving and caring mother. She was compassionate and had a kind heart. She would do anything for anyone who asked.
She spent the last 50 years living in Hope Mills, NC. She retired from Maidenform. After retiring from Maidenform, she loved to go and play the slot machines, going to the dog tracks, watching back-to-back episodes of “Murder, She Wrote” and “Little House on the Prairie “. Lela loved spending time with her family and going to Mi Casita’s to eat every chance she got.
She will be greatly missed by all those who knew her and will never be forgotten.