KINSTON - Judge Lester Williams Pate, 80, died Saturday, March 8, 2008 at Lenoir Memorial Hospital. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, March 11, at Howard-Carter Funeral Home, with the Rev. Richard Wiekel and the Rev. Rick Vernon officiating. Burial was at Westview Cemetery in Kinston.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Kathryn Sutton Pate; his wife, Helen Small Pate; and his son, Kenneth E. Pate of Kinston. He was a veteran of WWII, where he served in the U.S. Navy, and was a retired District Court judge for the NC Eighth Judicial District.

Surviving: four daughters, Lisa P. Stillwell (Charles) of Kinston, Susan P. Leitz (Robert) of Youngsville, Kathy P. Howell (Luther Jr.) of Kinston, and Glinda Pate of Hickory; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Flowers welcome or memorials may be made to Armenia Christian Church, 1817 Hwy. 70 E., Kinston, NC 28501.