Miriam Namken

Miriam (Tate) Namken, age 89, departed this life peacefully in Edinburg, TX, on July 12, 2024. Miriam was born November 1, 1934, in Giddings, Texas, in Lee County, to Milton York Tate, Sr. and Miriam McGregor (Phillips) Tate. Miriam was the second oldest of four siblings. 

Miriam grew up in Giddings and graduated from Giddings High School in 1953. After high school, she attended Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville, TX. On August 20, 1955, Miriam married her high school sweetheart, Leo Neal Namken, and they were blessed with a marriage that lasted over 57 years. They moved to Weslaco, Texas, in 1958, where they made their home and raised their family. Neal predeceased Miriam in 2013. 

Miriam was a meticulous bookkeeper and worked in the accounting department at JS McManus Produce for many years. After her retirement, she was very active in the Knapp Hospital Auxiliary, serving in many leadership roles, including chapter president. Miriam was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Weslaco, where she served as a deacon. She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School for many years. Miriam was an avid tennis player and loved the outdoors. She had a passion for traveling, and she and Neal traveled the world with family and friends. In addition, she loved to play bridge and was an active member in bridge clubs throughout her life. She was a proud Texas Aggie fan. Her fried chicken and cream gravy, sugar cookies, and homemade donuts were family favorites. She made friends wherever she went and had a kind and generous heart. She loved her family, and they loved her. 

Miriam is predeceased by her parents, step-mother Elner Hempel Tate, her husband Neal, her sister Eola Nell (Tate) Alspaw and husband Ivan, and her brother James Tate and wife Linda, brothers-in-law, Royce Namken and wife Mildred and Calvin Namken and wife Emily. 

She is survived by daughters Sandy Mooney and her husband Frank X. of Friendswood, Shana Lazarine and her husband Cliff of Allen; son James Namken and his wife Hope of Houston; granddaughter Miriam Mooney Martin and her husband Austin of Canberra, Australia; great-grandchildren Lorelei Mae and Sebastian Xavier Martin; brother Milton Y. Tate and his wife Twila of Brenham as well as numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives. 

She will be missed greatly by her “sister by choice”, Karen Heilman. They had a beautiful, special friendship that spanned over 60 years. 

Her children would like to give special thanks to Isabel Hernandez, who took care of Mom for many years as if she were her own family member. In addition, we thank the kind and caring nurses and assistants at DHR Hospice in Edinburg. Their professionalism and kindness are extraordinary. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, July 24, at 2 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church in Weslaco, TX. The Rev. David McCann, Pastor, will officiate the service. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 706 S. Iowa, Weslaco, Texas 78596, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of McCaleb Funeral Home of Weslaco.