Martha Pate Obituary

Martha Jane Pate

Jan 12, 1933 - Sep 11, 2025

Martha Jane Pate (Arnold) went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Visitation for family and friends will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at Hillier Funeral Home in Bryan, Texas. Services will be 11:00 am on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Central Church in College Station, Texas. Interment will follow at College Station City Cemetery.

Martha Jane was born on January 12, 1933, to Henry Freeman Arnold and Liddie Bell Arnold in College Station, Texas. She grew up one of ten children at her family home in College Station, where Central Park is now located. Martha Jane attended Rock Prairie Baptist Church while growing up and accepted Jesus Christ into her life at a tent revival. Graduating from A&M Consolidated in 1952, she was proud to be a Consolidated Tiger, and she could sing the fight song until she was 90 years old.

Martha Jane wed John Thomas Pate on July 3, 1953.

As a businesswoman, Martha Jane and her husband, John, were co-owners of Pate Schools Inc. As the Director of Jane's Little Pals Children's Center for 35 years, Miss Jane helped raise and nurture thousands of children in the Bryan College Station area, with the help of many wonderful Child Caregivers she employed.

Along with her parents, Martha Jane is preceded in death by her husband, her brothers, Milton Arnold, John Arnold, Bill Arnold, Aubrey Arnold, and James Arnold, her sisters, Marjorie Eimann, and Mary McCulloch, her son-in-law, Robert White, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

Martha Jane leaves behind her three children, Robert Bradford (Brad) Pate of Bryan, Texas, Thomas Gordon Pate and wife Staci of College Station, Texas, Rhonda Kay White of Bryan, Texas, grandchildren; Robert Thomas White of Whitney, Texas, John Tristan White of Wichita, Kansas, and John Weston Pate of College Station, Texas, a sister; Margaret Ann Mauro of Bryan, Texas, a brother; Charles Arnold and wife Lou of Arlington, Texas, sister-in-laws; Patsy Smith of Bryan, Texas, Lottie Ann Arnold of College Station, Texas, Jackie Arnold of Bryan, Texas, and many nieces and nephews whom she all loved dearly.

Martha Jane's family would like to give special thanks to Demetria Bircher, Jackie Owens, Katherine Burchfield, Miah Winbush, Liz Sheppard, and Robbie Johnson, for the love and care they gave their Mama (Mammer) these past 10 months. These wonderful ladies have earned jewels in their heavenly crown.

Please visit www.hillierfuneralhome.com to share deepest condolences and expressions of gratitude for Martha and a life well lived.

Hillier of Bryan

2301 E. 29th St., Bryan, TX 77802