Ora Lee Pimpton Degrate, 86, of Golinda, passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, March 29, at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. T. E. Malone officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, March 28, from 6 to 8 PM at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at www.LakeShoreFuneralHome.com.
Ora Lee Pimpton Degrate was born June 2, 1926 in Asa, Texas to Lucious and Elnora (Hadley) Pimpton. She attended school at Brandon Chapel, Golinda. She was a fulltime wife and mother. She confessed her belief in God and was baptized at an early age. Ora Lee married N. C. Degrate, Sr. on March 19, 1946. To this union, thirteen children were born. She referred to her children as her jewels. She was a lifelong member of the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Degrate was recognized during the church centennial celebration for over 50 years of service at that time. At Mt. Olive, she has served as Vice-President of the Missionary Society, Assistant Youth Director, and as a Sunday School Teacher. She was well known in her community through her home mission work of visiting shut-ins, praying with the bereaved, as well as cleaning and cooking for the sick. Many individuals, who are now adults, recall memories of her holding bible studies in her living room with them as children. She often packed her car with grandchildren, as well as other kids in the neighborhood, taking them to church. In addition, she served as a spiritual and emotional anchor for her nieces and nephews. They often came to her for counsel and guidance. Her quiet presence and confident belief in God gave them strength. Prior to her illness, she was also known as a spirit-filled speaker. She frequently taught bible lessons at workshops for the Good Hope Western General Association Mission II. Mrs. Degrate hosted many Mission Society bible studies in her home, often leading worship with her favorite hymn A Charge to Keep I Have. One of her favorite scriptures to read was Matthew 6:33. Even in her illness, her faith and dignity was a role model for her children. She recognized the race is not given to the swift or the strong; but to the one that endures to the end. She endured with grace.
Amid much love, Ora Lee Degrate passed away at her home on March 26, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, N. C. Degrate, Sr., her parents, 6 grandchildren, 3 sisters and a brother. She is survived by her children, N. C. Degrate, Jr. (Dorothy), Barbara Ransome (Robert), Jessie Wilborn (Emmitt), Wayne Degrate (Diane), William Degrate (Sharon), Loretta Bible (Ronald), Floretta Jones, Vallerie Degrate-Vaughn, Ora (Lisa) Thomas (Jesse), Carol Keggins (Jackie), Janis Wilder (Jonathan), Johnny Degrate, and Patricia Daniels (Travis); two sisters, Vera Hawkins and Willie Jewel Cromer; 3 brothers-in-law, Ennis Degrate, Sr., L. C. Degrate, and Edmund Cromer; 39 grandchildren, 86 great-grandchildren, 26 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mrs. Degrate always challenged her grandchildren toward excellence with a quote she said she learned in childhood:
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***keep this family
Praying for peace and understanding during this time of bereavement. May God bless and keep this and know time heals all and God makes no mistakes.
No more sickness, no sadness, no more pain, soon Jehovah will act and call you by name. Sleep now beautiful lady and loving mother, for there exists a hope like none other. Life in paradise – with beauty all around. Will be a wonderful time – death completely gone.
So much love, much laughter and peace, the promises of God will cause all suffering to cease. Be rested and awaken again, in the arms of your family and your dear friends. In just a short while, we will see your smile. Yes, it will be a happy new day, as the former sad things of this system will have passed away. Rev 21: 3, 4.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the entire family..
My prayers are with you Jessie, Janis, Loretta and your entire family. May your faith keep you strong and all the precious memories you have of your mother. Ardelia
Lisa, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. Please let me know if there is something I can do for you or your family. You are all in my prayers.
Sincerely Barbara Salazar
Even though I did not know your Mother personally I can see what a beautiful soul she was by meeting her children and grand children. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you as a friend of daughter Loretta My deepest sympathy is with all of the family in this time of sadness and sorrow-Bless you all.
You have our sincere sympathy during your season of bereavement. May the peace of God cover you and may the memories of your dear Mother keep you. You are in our prayers.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the entire Degrate family. May you find comfort in the hope the scriptures give, in the beautiful memories of Mrs Degrate and comfort from each other. Love, Charles & Sarah Wells & family
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of your Mother and Sister.
My prayers are with you in this time of sorrow..I was so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing, but we know that she is with the Lord and at rest. May God be with you every step of the way.
We are sorry for your loss and look forward to John 5:28 and 29.
Janis, Carol and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Dino and I were very saddened when we received the news.
At this time of sorrow,
May these truths sustain you …
Your loved one will always
Be as close as a memory,
And the God of all comfort
Will always be as
Close as a prayer
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" Psalm 116:15
Love,
Dino and Daphne Cannon
May your memories bring you comfort and God guide you through this difficult time. Many prayers and love are with you.
I want to express my sympathy to Carol and her family during the loss of your precious loved one. May the Lord comfort your family during this time of sorrow.
Ms. Carol,
What a beautiful woman, such a nice gift from God here on earth and God’s prize in heaven.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Jessie,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. Know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Continue to lean on Jesus and He will see you through this! Praying and believing that God will love away the pain.
Love you dear– Denise
Families are built on love and a faith based foundation. Mama Degrate instilled all of that and more in her family. Our family is blessed from having experienced some of her kind spirit through her daughters. Love to you all. Lesa and Family.
Mrs. Carol, your mother was beautiful and thanks for allowing me to view her obituary. My condonlences to you are your family. Take care.
-Erika Wells
The love of the Degrate family has been an inspiration to our family. May God’s eternal love bring you peace as you remember all of the years shared with your mom. Lovingly, The Wise Family
Jessie and Family, I am so sorry for your loss but I know you have some wonderful memories about your mom that will keep you going through this time. My prayers and love are with all of you. Janet Patterson
Our love and prayers to Ms. Degrate’s family. We have known you for a long time and cherish your friendship. Ms. Degrate is a beautiful person and God has gained a Godly woman. Blessing and comfort to her family at this time, I know she is now celebrating with our Lord in Heaven. Amen.
God Bless your family. Knowing Janis for many years, I’ve always been impressed by the values of your family instilled no doubt, by the strength of Mrs Ora Lee DeGrate.
Patricia (Pat),
You are part of our team and our family here at Scott & White. We want you to know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I did not know your Mother, but reading her dedicated service to God’s Work and God’s Word conveyed where her life focus was and what a testimony and legacy she has left.
I was so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing.
At least we know she is with GOD and in a very beautiful place.
My thoughts are with you.
Dear family I am sorry for your loss. May the God of peace be with you in your time of need,and we look foward to the promise of the resurrection that Jesus spoke about.
Hello the above message is for Floretta and her family
during your time of loss.
May Jehovah the God of Peace
guard your mental powers and
give you peace at this time.
and we look foward to seeing your mom again in Paradise on earth.
Lisa, I’m sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. I pray God’s loving arms comfort you and your family during this difficult time.
My prayers go out to the family of Mrs. DeGrate of whom I had the pleasure of meeting. I am so sorry for your loss. Take comfort in knowing Jehovah will call and soon she will awaken from her peaceful sleep. With much love, Leyvetta.
Barbara, sorry for the loss of your mom. I didn’t know her personally, but I felt like I did through you. I will pray for strength for you and your family during the time. Stay encouraged
Lisa,
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this most difficult time.
Janice my dear sister, I want you to know you are in my prayers. I am very familiar with the pain of losing a parent. I know you have a personal relationship with Jesus and He will give you the strength you need to keep on keeping on.♥
Janice my dear sister, I want you to know you are in my prayers. I am very familiar with the pain of losing a parent. I know you have a personal relationship with Jesus and He will give you the strength you need to keep on keeping on.♥
Lisa so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. may your find comfort in all the loving memories of your mom.
The time will come for the dead to be resurrected to life everlasting on a beautiful paradise earth. We can look forward to that time. My condolences at this hour of grief.
Jessie,
You and your family are in my prayers. Let’s rejoice knowing that your sweet Mom is now in Heaven!
In His love,
Nancy
Dear Janis and all her wonderful sisters. My husband Tim and I send all our prayers to you and your families for God’s comfort knowing that your Mom was a light in this world and will be a light for all of you in the next. Love, Pat
Carol, you have our heart felt sympathy. Your mother lived a beautiful life.As King Lemuel stated in Proverbs 31:10-31, Who can find a Virtuous woman? Mrs.Ora DeGrate was that woman and her jewels are a shining example of her life. Be Encourage. Pat Reed
Uncle Wayne and family,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart is with you all during this difficult time.
Love to you all
Wayne and family, Thinking of you today and always. Your mother / loved one will always be smiling upon and you. Cherish your memories and look forward to your joining her in the heavens when she calls you to her.
We we’re so sad to here of the passing of your beloved mother, look to him who alone will give you strength. God will comfort and keep you. Janis, Barbie, Derrick and the rest of the family please know that you are in our prayers and we love you….
Please accept our sincere condolences during this difficult time.
I am very sorry the the loss of a wonderful person.I am big mama’s granddaughter, I never really knew her but I met her alot of times. Though I did not know her like I wish I had, through the stories my daddy told me it felt like I did. She is in a better place now and I know she will be ok. With much love, you will truly be missed BIG MAMA!
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15, We extend to the Degrate family our deepest sympathy, in the homegoing of their beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother sister and aunt. Janis this is merely a chapter completed, a page turned and a rest well earned. May you find peace and comfort in the knowledge that
Carol, you know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I’m thinking of you.
To Janice, Barbie & Derek
So Sorry for your loss. As you move through this difficult time, I’m pryaing you’ll find moments of grace and peace when you need them most. It’s with our deepest sympathy that we send our condolences. Love you and praying for you and your family.