Jenay Tate, who was the 'tough as nails' publisher of The Coalfield Progress in southwest Va., dies of cancer at 64

Jenay Tate (File photo)

Jenay Tate, the last journalist in an entrepreneurial newspapering family that told the stories of southwest Virginia for 95 years, died Saturday after a two-year battle with lung cancer. She was 64.

Until 2019, Tate was publisher of The Coalfield Progress in Norton, a title held by her grandfather, Kentucky native Presley Thornton "Pres" Adkins, and her father, Carroll Tate. Under her leadership, the twice-weekly paper was a frequent winner of awards from the Virginia Press Association, which honored her with its D. Latham Mims Award for editorial leadership in 1988. She was a founding member of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government and a graduate of the University of Kentucky journalism school.

Tate stayed with the newspaper for 40 years despite numerous adversities. At her younger brother Michael's behest, the siblings sold the Progress to Tennessee-based American Hometown Publishing Co. in 2005, but she continued with the paper as both editor and publisher, also holding the latter title with other papers the family had owned, The Post of Big Stone Gap and The Dickenson Star. When AHP liquidated in 2019, the papers were bought by Missouri-based Lewis County Press, which eliminated her position two months later. "Tate said she was stunned . . . but she admitted she had struggled with and objected to some of the new company's direction so, in the end, should not have been entirely surprised," the Progress reported at the time.

"Simply put, newspapering was her life," her obituary says. "She wrote extensively about the coal industry, including the historic regional coal camps, and the importance of coal to the local economy. She professed the value of higher education through her coverage of happenings at regional colleges. She built contacts and sources and friendships across countless industries and experiences. And she advocated for the region with leaders and elected officials for 40 years. . . . She loved being involved in her community, defending its interests, and telling the important stories of the region." Her longtime friend Joyce Payne said, "She was tough as nails in searching the truth for a story and managing the paper, but she had a soft gold of heart for her friends."

Tate was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, and is survived by a sister, a niece and three nephews. Her visitation and funeral will be held Thursday at Hagy & Fawbush Funeral Home in Norton. Memorial gifts may be made to PAWS of SWVA, PO Box 576, Coeburn VA 24230.