James Gates

James Edgar Gates, 96, of Brenham, the husband of Dorothy Lamberth Gates, died in Gazebo Terrace Convalescent Center, Saturday, August 21, 2004.

Mr. Gates was born May 30, 1908, in Spring Hill, Alabama, to James P. and Agnes Cecil Harper Gates. He attended Alabama public schools and Alabama Community School.

On October 20, 1934, he married Dorothy Lamberth in the First Baptist Church in Houston by Dr. E. D. Head. They enjoyed 70 years of marriage. He worked in the paint industry as a salesman specializing in sales to painting contractors.

Mr. Gates was a member and deacon emeritus of the First Baptist Church, Brenham, a member of Graham Lodge # 20 AF & AM, a former member of Holland Lodge # 1 AF & AM, and a member of the Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Gideons. He served as a Deacon of Baptist Churches for 56 years.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy of Brenham; daughters & sons-in-law; Nancy Sue & Ray Belcher of Spring, TX, Shirley Jean and James Varner of Georgetown, TX, Cecil Ann & Charles Otto of Brenham, TX; brother, Owen Gates and sister, Marie Mattison both of Columbus, Miss; sisters-in-law, Julia Gates of Houston, TX, Lucy Gates of Aliceville, AL, Mary Francis Inez Ingram of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Buddy Edge, Tony Duren, Noelle Malcolm, James Otto, Matthew Otto and Whitney Otto; and eleven great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and four sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday at Memorial Oaks Chapel.

The funeral service will be held in the First Baptist Church in Brenham at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, August 24, 2004 with Rev. Steve Ponder and Rev. James Varner officiating. Serving as pallbearers are grandsons and great-grandson Chris Edge, nephew Mickey Poindexter and friends James Carstarphen and Lindy Varner. Burial will be in the Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham.

Memorial contributions may be given in his memory to the Gideons.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham, TX 77833.