Services for Alton Eugene Pate of Meadville are 2 p.m., Friday,March 29, at Meadville Baptist Church with burial in MidwayCemetery.

Visitation is today from 6-9 p.m. at Franklin Funeral Home andFriday at the church from 1-2 p.m.

Mr. Pate, 80, died March 27, 2002, at Haven Hall Nursing Home.He was born in Franklin County on Sept. 27, 1921, to Hattie Hagenand Thomas Rankin Pate. He graduated from high school in FranklinCounty.

He was retired from Chevron Oil Company and the MississippiState Oil and Gas Board. He served in the Civilian ConservationCorps from 1939-41, assisting in the construction of the ClearSprings Lake and Recreation Area in the Homochitto National Forest.He worked for the Illinois Central Railroad until he enlisted inthe Marine Corps. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Islands, theMarianas Operation, and in Japan during WWII. He graduated fromSouthwest Junior College and worked for the California OilCompany.

He was a member of Meadville Baptist Church. He was a member ofthe Ben Franklin Lodge.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and his wife, BettyKathryn Jackson Pate.

Survivors are his daughters, Kathy Pate DeMuth of Raymond andStacy Pate Oglesby of Meadville; and four grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Meadville Baptist Church or theAmerican Cancer Society.