Lula Mae Tate, devoted to her church, dies at 91

If you went to Lula Mae Tate's home, you would have been treated to a spirited time of singing, prayer and praise because that was what Lula Mae was all about.

A deeply religious woman, she filled her life with her devotion and encouraged others to join in her prayers - always for other people, never for herself.

She lived across the street from her church, Foster Memorial Baptist, in North Philadelphia, and after services, "members made a bee-line to her house to get a good meal and great fellowship," her family said.

Lula Mae, an ordained deaconess at the church where she was also active in other ministries, died May 27.

She was 91.

"Her favorite pastimes were cooking and praying for others," her family said.

"You could always count on her to uplift your spirit through song, prayer, Bible verses or just her gentle spirit."

She was born in Goldsboro, N.C., to Mattie and Joseph Green and came to Philadelphia in the late '40s.

Lula Mae was featured in an article in 2002 in "Courage and Hope," a publication of the American Cancer Society, detailing stories of cancer survivors.

She is survived by a daughter, Beverly Tate.

Services: 11 a.m. tomorrow at Foster Memorial Baptist Church, 18th and York streets. Friends may call at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Mount Peace Cemetery. *