Mickey Legate

Mickey Legate was born on September 19, 1928, in Pattonville, in Lamar County, Texas and  grew up in Paris, Texas. She was the youngest child of Ralph and Estelle Legate.  Her oldest sibling was her brother Buford. Her older sister Kitty, is here with us today.

Mickey grew up in the Paris area and moved to Port Arthur when she was still in school.  She received the American Legion Award for ninth graders, which honored the qualities of scholarship, citizenship, service and companionship.  She served as a member of the student council and went on to graduate from Thomas Jefferson High School.

Mickey worked for Dr. Chevis, an ophthalmologist,as his assistant, running the office and assisting with everything from exams to surgeries.  She was a medical assistant for 30 years.

She then received a drafting certification, followed by earning her real estate license.

She was an independent, fun -loving person who was an avid reader and often rode a mo-ped motor scooter.

She began worshipping at the Nederland Church of Christ in 1983, where she met many wonderful and caring friends.  She was honored with a going away party there when she departed for Tyler, Texas, to be near her sister, niece, and nephew.

Mickey enjoyed a stellar real estate career in the Mid Jefferson County area. In 1987, she was honored in the PA News as one of the Leading Women in Real Estate. While working for Hare, Burns, & Osborne Realtors, she helped raise funds for MDA.   In 1993, she participated in collecting clothing, food, and toys for the United Board of Missions. She was a member of the Port Arthur, Port Neches, and Nederland Board of Realtors, serving as Secretary, Public Relations Chairperson, and also as President.

In 1991, Mickey was named one of the “leading real estate professionals” in the Port Arthur News.  In 1993, she was named Realtor of the Year for the Port Arthur, Port Neches, Nederland, Board of Realtors.

In retirement, Mickey enjoyed reading and travelling around the country on bus tours with friends and her sister, Kitty Stephens.  One of her most treasured trips was to Nova Scotia.

In 2018, she moved to Tyler where she lived at The Hamptons in an independent living facility.   Her sister Kitty and her husband Steve lived nearby in the assisted living facility.

They enjoyed visiting in person and on the phone and sharing birthday, holiday, and other special family gatherings, most recently for Thanksgiving at her nephew Mike’s, house.

Mickey passed away at age 93, in Tyler, early on Christmas Eve morning, following a battle with pneumonia.

Her favorite passage was Psalm 118:24. This is the day the Lord has made.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.