VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE:
http://videos.lifetributes.com/27119

She is survived by her husband Rev. Donald R. Gates, Jr., a brother Ralph Stone, Sr., Cholchester, CT, four children Donald R. Gates, III (Terri), Gum Springs, AR, Pamela Jeanette Claypool (Donald), Horseheads, NY, Matthew Christian Gates (Carol), Havana, AR, Kimberly Annette Whitaker (Gary Sr.), Durham, NC, sixteen grandchildren, Donald R. Gates, IV, Heather Gates, Michelle, Joseph, Benjamin, Bridget, Corey McPherson, Courtney Horton, Ashley Horton, Amanda Claypool, Andrew Claypool, Timothy Claypool, Douglas Dorle, Gary Whitaker, Jr., Christopher Whitaker, Tasha Whitaker and six great-grandchildren.

She was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church, Arkadelphia, AR. Working beside her husband, she spent her life as a mother to her four children, loving them and providing for their needs, faith partner to her husband, and she was a prayer warrior. She also worked at Henderson State University after her children were grown, until her retirement in 1997.

Viewing will be Thursday evening August 14, 2008 from 4 to 6 PM at Lakeview Baptist Church, 1316 Copeland Ridge Road, Arkadelphia, AR. Funeral service will be at 6 PM, August 14, 2008 at Lakeview Baptist Church, with Rev. Joe Burt and Rev. Doug Higginbotham officiating. Burial will be at Copeland Ridge Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Don Gates, III, Matthew Gates, Gary Whitaker, Jr., Steve Willingham, Jim Watts and Dallas Martin. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Send memorials in her honor to the church she loved: Lakeview Baptist Church, c/o Gail Gravett, 319 Gravett Road, Arkadelphia, AR 71923.

Services are entrusted to Welch Funeral Home. Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the online guest book and view the video tribute.