Helen Ray Tate

Helen Ray Tate (80) passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sept. 19, 2024, in Danville, Ill.

Helen was born on Feb. 20, 1944, in rural Menifee County, Kentucky to Charles and Laura

(Quinlan) Spencer. She is preceded in death by both her parents, as well as four brothers,

James “Edward”, Denzil “Denny”, Burton “Dale”, and Freddie Spencer, all of Danville. Helen is

survived by her three sons: Tim (Rhonda) Spencer, of Armstrong, Kelly (Deanna) Ratliff, of

Grimsley, TN, and Jeff (Susan) Ratliff, of Carrollton, MS; as well as two sisters, Joyce Murphy of

Catlin and Ruby Frazier of Danville; 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and many nieces

and nephews.

Helen obtained her GED from Danville Area Community College in 1977, and worked as a CNA

at various nursing homes in Danville, as well as a waitress and filling attendant in Oakwood,

where she later ran Helen’s Home Brew shop. Helen enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, fishing,

hunting, as well as arts and crafts, coloring books, and watching painting with Bob Ross.

Per Helen’s wishes, no public services will be held, and her remains will be spread in her home

state of Kentucky. A celebration of her life will be held for friends and family at her son’s home in

Armstrong on Friday, Sept. 27.