Pate leaves behind ‘legacy of love’

DIANE M. MOORE
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On Labor Day, Melissa Pate’s world was turned upside down when her son, Tyler, was shot and killed.

Just one week after his 30th birthday, Tyler Allen Pate, was killed by a gunshot wound to the chest from Matthew Ryan Peoples. While his death is surrounded by much controversy on social media, Pate’s mom, Melissa, wants people to remember the Tyler she knew.

“Tyler made mistakes in his life,†said Pate. “He was never a bad kid. He messed up just like we all do.â€

Pate says Tyler wanted to do and be better for his children and his family. 

“He checked himself into rehab in October of 2022 and had just come home in July,†she said. “When he got home, he went straight to work. He started going to church, having Bible study, and he gave his life to the Lord. I hate that people didn’t get to see that person. The people that mattered did get to see it and that is all that matters.â€

Tyler was a father of three with another on the way, two daughters and one son ages 10,seven and two. 

“He loved his kids more than anything,†Pate said. “The way his son’s (Xavier) face would light up when he saw his daddy was the exact same as Tyler’s would when he saw Xavier. The love between them was immeasurable.â€

Music was a passion for Tyler who was always writing lyrics and listening to music. He loved his family and did his best to set a good example for his nieces and nephews. 

“He didn’t want them to go down the wrong path so he tried to steer them in the right direction,†Pate said. “He wanted them to be successful, just like he did his own children.â€

Pate said the last couple of weeks have been very difficult especially with derogatory things people are saying on social media. 

“Tyler isn’t the person he is being made out to be,†Pate said. “He was a good person. We all make mistakes but he didn’t deserve to be shot. Nobody deserves that.â€

The hardest part for Pate is never again having Tyler kiss her on her cheek before he left.

“He never left without kissing my face,†Pate said. “I will never have that again. He was my baby boy and he forever will be. Tyler left us with a legacy of love.â€