On May 7, 1956 our Heavenly Father blessed James and Patricia Pate with a beautiful daughter, who they named Jeanette Darlene Pate. Most called her Darlene, she was the third born of seven children.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents and one sibling, Michelle Anderson. Darlene departed this life on November 14, 2018. There is limited understanding as to why our Lord called her home at such an early age, but we know that she lived her life full of love and kindness. She touched everyone she knew with an unconditional love. Darlene was a trusting soul. She saw the best in everyone who came into her life.

Receiving her education in the Cincinnati Public School District, she graduated in 1974 from Hughes High School. Darlene accepted our Lord as her Savior at an early age. After high school, Darlene held positions at The Regal Cinemas, Clifton Care Nursing Facility, and Spaces Architect in Cincinnati. She always had a desire to be successful and climbed the ladder to management at most places she worked.

Darlene had many hobbies, which included gardening, cooking, decorating and attending her grandson's sporting events. She loved listening to soul music and sitting on her porch. She was a staple in her neighborhood, often holding conversations with the area children reminding them to love and respect one another and to take pride in keeping the neighborhood clean.

She was called the "Candy Lady" because during the summer months she sold candy and frozen treats, however, she could not say no to those smiling faces and often gave the candy away for free. She was loved and embraced by all who knew her.

Jeanette Darlene Pate leaves to cherish her memory: her only child, Jeffrey B. Johnson Jr.; grandson, Cody Johnson; her Partner of many years, Jeffrey B. Johnson Sr., his daughter, Toshia Spikes and her three children, Takilha, Ty'Rek and T'Ashya; her sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and John Boston; her four brothers, Anthony, Rodney, Randall and Rayshawn Pate; her nieces and nephews, Terri and Harold Dunlap, Dwayne and Tawanna McNeal, Antoine, Antonio and Ashley Pate, Kendall Pate, Latoya, Gary and Damon Anderson; and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Darlene will be deeply missed by all those that knew her. Today we will celebrate her life; she will be greatly missed and will always be in our hearts and minds.

Visitation is from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on  Saturday, December 1, 2018, at the Metropolitan CME Church, 2815 Melrose Avenue, Cincinnati  (45206).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation beginning at 11:00 am.

Interment will follow at Vine Street Hill Cemetery, 3701 Vine Street, Cincinnati (45220).

To share a memory of Jeanette  or leave a special message for the Pate family, please click the "Tribute Wall" tab above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home, 1025 E. McMillan Street, Cincinnati (45206)  is serving the  Pate family.  Please call (513) 251-6200 or visit www.WalkerFuneralHome.com for additional information.