Edward Gates

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Edward Brice Gates, 81, of Sikeston died Saturday, May 3, 2003, at his home.

He was born Sept. 22, 1921, in Peach Orchard, Ark., son of John William David and Margarete Whitson Gates. He and Marguerite I. Tucker were married June 9, 1940, in Peach Orchard. She died Sept. 25, 1998. He and Ramona Williams were married Jan. 6, 2001, in Sikeston.

Gates retired as terminal manager with Agrico Chemical Co. He was a member of North Acres General Baptist Church and had been a deacon and Sunday School superintendent.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Edward Gates of Benton, Mo., Kevin Gates of Carlyle, Ill.; three daughters, Nellene Adkins of Memphis, Tenn., Patricia Comstock of Sikeston, Carlette Von Burg of Carlyle; two stepsons, Larry Barger of California, Mike Barger of Louisiana; a stepdaughter, Phyllis Worley of Searcy, Ark.; a brother, Lee Roy Gates of El Mirage, Ariz.; two sisters, Iva Mason and Virginia Lowery of Knobel, Ark.; 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. James Trotter officiating. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Pirtle Cemetery in Peach Orchard, with the Rev. Melton Shelton officiating.