In the early morning hours of Sunday, June 10, 2012, Albert Pate Gambill, 79, passed from this life in the same way he had lived, quietly and simply. Born on May 12, 1933 in Mountain City, TN to Smith and Charlotte Gouge Gambill, Pate had lived most of his adult life in the Big Laurel community of Creston, NC. Until illness prohibited most of his activities, he attended Rainbow Mennonite Church in Mountain City. He was always a hard worker and spent 25 years at Blue Ridge Shoe Company in Mountain City before going to Charleston Forge in Boone, NC until his retirement 14 years ago. He spent recent years enjoying his great-grandchildren every chance he got. Always an outdoorsman, Pate enjoyed hunting and fishing and he took pride in his Cherokee heritage from his great-grandmother. In addition to his parents, Pate was preceded in death by his brothers, James (Jim) Gambill who was killed in action in the Korean War, Roy, Tobe and Henry Gambill; and sister, Mary Gambill, all of Mountain City. Pate is survived by his faithful wife of 57 years, Effie Farmer Gambill, who devoted her life to caring for him since his illness; son, Terry Gambill of the home, Steve and wife Sandi Gambill of Mooresville, NC and Gary and wife Angie Gambill of Mountain City; grandchildren, Chris Gambill of Johnson City, TN, Brittany Dorman and Ryan Gambill of Mountain City, and Landen, Anna Kathryn and Hollyn Gambill of Mooresville; great-grandsons, Nathaniel and Carson Dorman of Mountain City; sister, Ruth Potter of Mountain City; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation with the family will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening, June 13 at the Big Laurel Mennonite Church in Creston. Funeral services will follow at 8 with Willie Edwards and Larry Denny officiating. Burial will follow on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. in the Osborne Cemetery in Creston. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and nephews. The men's Sunday's School class at Rainbow Mennonite Church will be honorary pallbearers. Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to the Appalachian Senior Companion Program, PO Box 605, Jefferson, nc 28640. The family would like to thank Dr. Whitlock, Dr. Qualheim and Dr. Benson and the staff at Fresenius Dialysis Center for the skilled care Pate received. Always a pillar of strength and stability to his family, his passing leaves a hole in the hearts and lives of those who loved him. Rest well, Dad. Your work on earth is done.