Funeral services for Inez Gates, 96, of West Monroe, La. will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, August 13, 2022 at First Baptist Church, West Monroe with Dr. Woods Watson and Dr. Mark Fenn officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Saturday from 12:30 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home West Monroe.
Inez was born August 20, 1925 and passed away August 10, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert J. Gates; son Robert O. Gates; son-in-law Kenneth Slocum and daughters-in-law Kathy Nelson Gates and Neva Rigsley Gates and 11 brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her daughter Beverly Slocum Gates; sons Richard Gates and wife Paula and Larry Gates and wife Kathy; daughter Tonya Gates Poole and husband Greg.
“Nanny” was well known for many things; avid bowler, volunteer work, chocolate and lemon icebox pies and of course her pralines. She helped manage Western Lanes Bowling until its closing. She took pride in going to “work” as a volunteer at St. Francis Medical Center for many years and was volunteer of the year a few years ago. Her biggest joy was serving in the surgical waiting area. She was always the first to arrive to have coffee ready and put out snacks for members of families in surgery.
She loved her church, First Baptist Church of West Monroe and served in many capacities. From counting the offering on Monday mornings to serving at Wednesday night meals, to singing in the choir. She was the first at church on Sunday morning to help get the coffee ready.
She loved very deeply. At family functions you could not tell the difference from those born in the family to those who married into the family to those who just show up and are treated like family. That is her legacy: she loved others with a type of love that makes them feel like family.
Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons.
Memorials may be made in Inez’s name to the First Baptist Church “See To It” Fund.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

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