Walter Gates

SIKESTON - James Walter Gates, 51, died at 2:45 a.m. May 1, 2002, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident that occurred Jan. 1.

Born Oct. 24, 1950, at Matthews, son of the late Ernest James and Hazel Nance Gates, he was employed for 28 years as a skilled laborer for the City of Sikeston's Parks Department.

On Nov. 22, 1991, in Sikeston, he married Jessica Tidwell who survives of the home.

In addition to his wife he is survived by: one son, Chris Gates of Sikeston; one stepson, Berren Clark of Haleyville, Ala., one daughter, Ashley A. Gates of Sikeston; two brothers, Charles Gates of Cabot, Ark., and Kenneth Gates of Sikeston; four sisters, Sue Rickman of Kennett, Melba Sue Edwards of Dexter, Brenda Wilson of Bloomfield and Junnie Gentry of Sikeston; and one granddaughter, Hallie Gilmore of Advance.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Brittany Michelle Gates, who died Jan. 1, 2002; and two sisters, Linda Gates and Evesta Gates.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel where services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Frank Breeden of Morehouse officiating.

Burial will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Harold Pruitt, Charlie Logsdon, Randy Gaines, Rob Howard, Bill Paxton and Jeremy Moore.

Honorary pallbearers will be City of Sikeston Public Works Department employees.