Paula Tate Brown

Paula Tate Brown, 71, passed away April 29, 2025, following a courageous battle with cancer. She has fought the fight, kept the faith, and won the race. A native of Greenville County, South Carolina, daughter of Harry Lee Tate, Sr. of Taylors, South Carolina and the late Polly Howard Jones Tate, she was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church. Upon graduating from Greer High School, Class of 1971, she earned her Master’s degree in secondary education from the University of South Carolina. Early in her teaching tenure, she served as a professor at the University of South Carolina and Lander University. Paula ultimately retired from Greenville County Schools, having taught Chemistry for over 35 years, many of those at Blue Ridge and Hillcrest High Schools. With her witty ability to teach the complex nature of chemistry, she was a true inspiration to her students; many will never forget “Ms. Brown.” A loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, Paula had the gift to brighten any room and make anyone smile; she will be truly missed. Surviving, in addition to her father, are a sister, Bonne Tate Johnson and her husband, Randy, of Taylors, South Carolina; three nieces, Laura Johnson Sirois and her husband, Roger, of Greer, South Carolina, Lisa T. Curwen and her husband, Colt, of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, and Cayce M. Tate of Charlotte, North Carolina; and four great nieces and nephews, Derrick Sirois, Dalaney Sirois, Ryland Curwen, and Tatum Curwen. She was predeceased by two brothers, Harry “Lee” Tate, Jr. and William “Bill” Howard Tate, and a sister, Andrea Tate Smith. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2025, at The Wood Mortuary Chapel conducted by Rev. David Smith. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. Visitation will be held 12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, 2025, at The Wood Mortuary. The family will be at their respective homes. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Prisma Health-Upstate Foundation, Palliative Care Program, 300 East McBee Avenue, Greenville, South Carolina 29601. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com.

Paula Tate Brown

June 5, 1953 - April 29, 2025