Esther Lee Gates' Obituary
Esther Gates Obituary
Esther Lee Gates was born to the union of Rufus and Willie J Patton on April 3, 1934 in Cooter Missouri. At a very young age she moved to Chicago where she graduated from Lucy Flower High School. In the mid 1950s she married Murray L Gates and moved to Harvey Illinois. Four children were born to this union. Risteen Gates (Melanie), Marcia Gates (deceased), Dennis Gates (Marilyn) and Jacqueline Gates. She converted to the Catholic faith and attended St. Susanna parish in Harvey until it merged with Ascension in 1977. During her later years she began attending St Stanislaus Bishop-Martyr in Posen, IL till prevented by illness. She suffered a stroke in 2011 that left her unable to take care of herself and she went to live at Windmill Nursing Center (now Prairie Oasis) in South Holland IL. She was well cared for and enjoyed her daily activities. She also loved to be visited by her grand children and great-grand children.
Esther was called to the Lord on the morning of March 20, 2019. She leaves to mourn three children Risteen (Malanie), Dennis (Marilyn) and Jacqueline, Four grand children Byron Unger, Brandon Unger, Adam Gates and Jahzara Gates, six great-grand children and many nieces and nephews.
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