Dell Waddell Cates

Dell W. Cates of Tallahassee, Florida passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at the age of 81. She died from heart failure and had suffered from heart problems for the last five years. She was born on May 24, 1943 in Jacksonville, Florida where she grew up. She graduated from Terry Parker High in 1961. She moved to Tallahassee in 1974 where she raised her family and received her master’s degree in Special Education from Florida State University. After being in the education field for 17 years, she went back to school to become a massage therapist. She was able to enjoy being a massage therapist for over 25 years.

She loved having her family around her as much as possible but the beach was her favorite place to be. She would visit anywhere along the Gulf Coast that she could, whether alone or with friends and family. She was very active in Unity Church and loved singing in the choir. She also loved going anywhere to listen to live music as often as she could. She did not have a “green thumb” but a “green arm” and enjoyed playing and working with her plants and flowers for hours on end.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Ida Waddell. She is survived by her siblings, Larry Waddell and Cynthia Waddell; her three children, Ray Whittle III, Cynthia Rundles (Jerry), and Melanie Rowton (Ronnie); her three grandchildren, Tyler Rundles, Victoria Porter (Mason), and Alex Rowton; her three great-grandchildren, Easton Rundles, Riley Porter, and Cash Rundles.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial at Soul’s Port U.P.C., 9301 Mahan Drive, on January 11th, 2025 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association.