Shirlee Gates

VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE PAGE Shirlee Marie Ellen (Hemming) Gates, 73, passed away Thursday June 9, 2011 in Jacksboro Texas after a lengthy illness. Shirlee was born June 18, 1937 in New York Mills, Minnesota to Gust Armas and Mary Ellen (Rousu) Hemming, and was preceded in death by her husband of almost 44 years, Charlie-who passed away in 2003. She is survived by three children: son Wade Gates of Lucas, Texas and his wife Connie, and daughter Natalie; son James D. Gates of Weatherford, Texas; and daughter Toni-Marie Yorty of Silt, Colorado, and her husband Michael, son Benjamin and daughter Mallory. Shirlee also is survived by her brother Aale Hemming of St. Charles, Missouri and his wife Ursula; brother Marvin Hemming of Bertha, Minnesota; and sister Evelyn Harper and her husband Bill of Ava, Missouri. She was preceded in death by six brothers: Donald, Walter, David, Earnest, Stanley and Earl. Additionally, Shirlee is survived by sister-in-law and brother-in-law Treva and Herman Epperson of Jacksboro, Texas; sister-in-law Doris Gates of Bedford, Texas; and numerous nephews and nieces. Shirlee accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior early in life, and rededicated her life to Christ through baptism on Mother’s Day of this year-as she wrote: “What a glorious day.” She married her husband Charles Wade Gates on April 26, 1958 in Minnesota. They raised two sons and a daughter in their almost 44 years together. She most recently had worked as a graphic designer and administrator for the Jacksboro Herald. A very active community leader, Shirlee was a member of First United Methodist Church, former President and member of the Lion’s Club, Jacksboro Red Hat Club, the Fort Worth Camera Club, the Red Cross, the American Sewing Guild amongst other organizations. Shirlee had also served on the Jacksboro Planning and Zoning Committee. Shirlee was an avid seamstress and quilter-she had just finished a quilt for the regional Lion’s Club as a scholarship fundraiser. Shirlee started teaching Sunday School to little children when she was in her teens and continued for many years. Shirlee served the Lord as a Stephen Minister, instructor and care giver; as a missionary on projects to Mexico; as volunteer staff at McCurdy Methodist School in Espanola, New Mexico, and in many other ways over the years. Shirlee participated in the Emmaus Walk Group and numerous Bible studies over the years, which provided a great source of strengthening for Shirlee. Sharing God’s message brought great joy, comfort, inspiration and peace to her. There will be a visitation on Sunday, June 12, 2011 from 6 to 7 pm at Coker Funeral Home in Jacksboro. Services will be Monday, June 13, 2011 at 2 pm in the Coker Funeral Home Chapel with burial following at Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Memorials : Concerned Citizens 400 E. Pine Jacksboro, Texas 76458

Shirlee Gates

June 18, 1937 - June 9, 2011