Emma Jean Gates

Graveside services for Mrs. Emma Jean Gates, 80 of the Deadwood Community of Panola County, Texas will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at the Old Prospect Cemetery with Rev. Chester Farmer officiating. Services are under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Family visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6–8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Gates died October 31, 2010 at her home in the Deadwood Community. Mrs. Emma Jean Gates was born August 1, 1930 in Joaquin, Texas. She was one of five children born to the marriage of Alfred Fisher and Della Ponder Mills. Mrs. Gates attended Carthage Schools and was a member of the New Prospect Baptist Church. She married John Thomas Gates and together they celebrated 64 years of marriage. Emma was a homemaker and a caregiver to her family and loved cooking, sewing, crocheting, and shopping. But her greatest joy was loving her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Floread Elliott. Mrs. Gates is survived by her loving husband, J. T. Gates of Deadwood; daughters, Barbara Watson and husband Russell of Montgomery and Judy Davis and husband Ray of Deadwood; son, Tommy Gates of Troup; grandchildren, Rachel Chism and husband David of Conroe, Jason Watson and wife Stacie of College Station, Mandy Pugh and husband Jerry of Flint, Jeremy Davis and wife Kristen of Henderson, Aaron Gates and wife Melissa of Houston; great grandchildren, Emma and Adam Isaacks, Tyler and Colton Watson, Matthew and Mina Davis, Sean and Ryan Gates, Peyton Young and Kobe Daniels; siblings, Grady Mills and wife Donneya of Weatherford, Columbus Mills and wife Ann of Deadwood and Addie Ruth Luman of Deadwood; brothers-in-law, Hice Gates and wife Bea of Shreveport, Louisiana and Harmon Gates and wife Betty of Cleveland; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends. Serving as pallbearers will be Jason Watson, Jeremy Davis, Aaron Gates, Adam Isaacks, Jerry Pugh and David Chism. The family requests that memorials may be made to New Prospect Baptist Church. An online guestbook may be signed at www.hawthornfuneralhome.com

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Emma Jean Gates

August 1, 1930 - October 31, 2010