On the cold and beautiful evening of December 6, 2025, Dana Michelle (Tate) Maggard passed away suddenly, outside in the beauty and peace of her homeplace, in the arms of her loving husband Russell. In our sorrow for the tragic loss, the family is greatly comforted in knowing she was in the company of her best friend doing what they loved to do most— working and laughing and talking together outside in their little corner of God’s earth.
Dana was 50 years old. She was born on January 15, 1975, to parents Patricia and Leslie Tate. She grew up in Fairfield along with her siblings, Lisa and Michael. The middle child, she marched to the beat of her own drums. Brilliant, fun-loving, headstrong and decisive, she was the sun whose gravitational pull kept us right where we needed to be.
Dana graduated as the Salutatorian of Fairfield High School in 1993, following her dreams to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She graduated as a commissioned officer in the USAF with a bachelor’s degree in general engineering. After graduation, she served her country for 5 years, separating from service with the rank of Captain in 2002 to begin her family.
Dana spent the most important years of her life as a stay-at-home mom, devoting herself to the three children who were the light of her life, Hensley (24) and longtime boyfriend, Cabot Ellis, Nicholas (23), and Jacob (20). A military family, she shepherded her family through many moves all over the world. Dana was an amazing mom who raised three beautiful children into remarkable, independent and kind adults. She was a fierce mama bear who protected and defended her kids, making sure they always had the space to spread their wings and become exactly who they wanted to become.
Dana moved back to Fairfield in 2020, where she began a new life with her soon-to-be husband, Russell Maggard of Teague, Texas. They were married in 2023. In Russell, Dana found a life and a partner who brought her to the most sacred place of belonging in her heart and soul. She knew joy and peace.
Talented and smart, Dana could do just about anything. After moving home, she completed a sonography program and taught at Fairfield High School for a year. She enjoyed a couple of years as the branch manager for Farmer’s State Bank and was very pleased to have recently begun working as the Freestone County Auditor. She was blessed by the friendship of all of her colleagues.
Dana is survived by her husband, Russell Maggard of Fairfield, her parents, Patricia and Leslie Tate, also of Fairfield; daughter Hensley Repak of Fairfield and long-time boyfriend Cabot Elliott; son Nicolas Repak and fiancée Gianna Howell of Albuquerque, NM; and son, Jacob Repak of College Station. Left to cherish her memory are her siblings, brother Michael Tate and wife Katie of Coppell, and sister Lisa Tate of Fairfield. She will be lovingly remembered by Russell’s sons, Barrett and Blake Maggard, and inlaws Jerry and Cissy Maggard of Teague. She will be missed greatly by her nieces and nephews, Bailey Carreno, Caleb Akers, Hannigan Tate and Donovan Tate, and great niece and nephews Maddox, Luna and Phillip.
