Marjorie Warlick Tate

Marjorie Warlick Tate, age 88, died January 18, 2025 in Charlotte ,NC.

Marji was dynamic and innovative, and a lifelong advocate for children, families, and child care at the local, state and national levels. She was a relentless proponent who worked tirelessly for higher childcare standards in North Carolina. She served on the National Board of NAEYC. Locally, she helped business leaders in major companies understand the advantage of increased child care benefits for employees. She, with others, worked, designed and created what would become Smart Start. (NC’s initiative addressing early care and education.) Upon her retirement, she was presented with The James and Carolyn Hunt Early Childhood Award by Day Care Services Association, was recognized for her dedication to Mecklenburg’s children by Mecklenburg Department of Social Services, and later, was conferred into The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor James Hunt.

Marji enjoyed travel, music and the company of close friends. Her family and friends will always remember her as a loving, vibrant person with a great sense of humor, and deep commitment to her family, her church, where she served as a deacon, and all those around her. An avid reader, she could quote long literary passages from memory and always had an appropriate quote for any occasion. Marji stood as a great servant in our community, and always pointed to how we could be better for all our children.

Marji was born July 28, 1936 in Greenville, SC, to parents Louise and Dock G. Thomas. Her older brother Graham, died in WWII. Marji graduated from Lincolnton High School and then from Wake Forest University in 1957 with a degree in Speech & Drama, and Education. At Wake Forest she was active on the Debate Team and Theater. Marji married David Andrew Warlick of Lincolnton in 1957.Together they had three children. While raising their family, Marji worked as a kindergarten teacher at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church. She served as Director of Park Road Baptist Church Child Development Center in Charlotte. In 1978, she earned a Masters degree in Family and Child Development from Winthrop University. Marji served as Day Care Coordinator for Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, and in 1982 became the founding Executive Director of Child Care Resources, Inc., where she led until her retirement in 1997. In that role she touched the lives of countless families in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union counties. After the loss of her husband David, Marji married John A. (Jack) Tate, Jr. Marji and Jack’s marriage blended both of their families; as well as and their combined community focus on education and children in need.

Marji is survived by her son, David Warlick, (Tracey Crowe, children Erin Warlick and Drew Warlick);and her daughters Dawn Osborn (Eric, children Mead Sissman & Jillian Osborn); Melissa Warlick,(Scott Husselbee, children Katherine Andrews, Kevin Husselbee & Katie Morris); stepson John A.Tate III, (Claire, children John Austin Tate IV & Bright Vandervoet), Frank Noojin III and John TateNoojin. Marji leaves behind twelve great grandchildren and three nieces Debbie, Linda and Elaine. She is preceded in death by her first husband, David A. Warlick, her second husband, John A. Tate,Jr. and her stepdaughter Caroline Tate Noojin.

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, January 27 at 2 p.m. at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. Joe Aldrich will officiate. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Marji’s life. The family would like to thank the staff at The Sharon for their compassionate and on-going care; Memory and Movement Charlotte and Via Hospice for their support and guidance. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to Child Care Resources, Inc. at https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/donate or Memory and Movement Charlotte https://www.mmclt.org/donate/ or Hospice VIA Health Partners athttps://www.viagiving.org/donating.