Thursday, July 19, 2018
Another golden voice has joined the Heavenly Choir!
As cousins growing up together, I have many very fond memories of my Uncle Tollie Pate singing gospel songs with his family in church and family gatherings in Houston, playing his accordion or piano with a big smile on his face. His family was Shelba Mae, Dillon, Tollie Louise, with their mother Aunt Clara Mae. Then when Tollie Louise married Tommy Howe, a truly great voice joined the family. Tommy joined a local gospel group including Larry Gatlin and Steve Warren.
When Tommy and Tollie Louise moved to Nashville following his secular career, he soon became a member of other gospel groups and achieving the pinnacle of success when he was invited to join the Masters V with legendary gospel singers James Blackwood, Hovie Lister, and J.D. Sumners (backup singer for Elvis). What an amazing honor!
Once on a business trip to Nashville, Tommy and Tollie Louise gave me a warm welcome, treating me to dinner and showing me around the town. Afterward, Tommy gave me some great videotapes of his singing with the Masters V, which I still treasure. These are all precious memories.
Tommy was a wonderful Christian gentleman, and he will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him.
My sincerest condolences to all his family, especially my cousin, Tollie Louise. May God grant you all peace and comfort, knowing that a better world awaits, where there will be no more pain or suffering or death. What a joyful reunion day that will be, the hope of Glory!
