GASTONIA - Tiffany April Smith Pate went to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 31, 2010.

Born April 29, 1973, Tiffany is survived by her husband Brian, sons Landon and Ridge, parents Buddy and Pam Smith, sisters Amanda Smith, Michelle Flynn, Beth and her husband Rick McCray, brother Martin Smith, grandfather David Barnette, grandmother Mary Francis Laney, father-in-law Roger Pate and his wife Lenora, and many other adoring aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Tiffany was preceded in death by her mother-in-law Joy Wilson Pate.

The joy of Tiffany's life was serving and loving the Lord, her husband, and sons who "are my heart." After her cancer diagnosis, she felt that no matter what the future held, she was in a win-win situation. Tiffany expressed that she would be a winner whether God allowed her to stay here longer with the family and friends she cherished, or chose to heal her by taking her home to heaven. Generosity and selflessness defined her entire life, but never more tangibly than in these last two years as she lived to serve others.
Tiffany leaves a legacy that has challenged and impacted the lives of friends and family who have marveled at her steadfast faith and unwavering determination to glorify Jesus Christ through this difficult journey, and she recorded many of her victories and praises on her blog, www.tiffanypate.blogspot.com.

A celebration of Tiffany's life will be held 7 p.m. Monday at Flint Groves Baptist Church in Gastonia.
The family will receive friends at the home of Buddy and Pam Smith until Monday.

To honor her memory, they request that memorials be made to the Flint Groves Baptist Church Fund for Landon and Ridge Pate, 2023 Flint Lane, Gastonia, NC 28054 or Cancer Services of Gaston County, 306 Columbia Street, Gastonia, NC 28054.