Mrs. Velma L. Gates

Velma Lee Gates was born June 26, 1954 in Valdosta, Georgia to the late Elijah Davis, Sr., and the late Pauline Tomberline Davis.

Only once in your life will someone so special walk in front of you and prepare the way for a better future. Only once in your life will someone wait patiently while you make the most important decisions of your life. Only once will you know someone who has the courage not to back down from a decision made and have the opportunity to be loved by someone who could never love you more every day, Velma Gates was just this way.

Velma Lee Gates was a loving, strong, outspoken, and caring person. She believed your life could be what you wanted it to be and to take it one day at a time. She encouraged her children to believe in themselves and to remember that all things were possible through Christ.

And the Lord knew Velma Gates, for He stayed right by her side, through the years of joy and plenty, pain, sorrow, hurt and pride. He helped her to raise her family, gave her courage to go on and blessed her heart with hope and patience and gave her strength when hers was gone.

The Lord gently called Velma from labor to reward, Thursday, February 19, 2015.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband: Sydney Gates, two brothers: Elijah Davis, Jr. and James Nixon and two sisters: Betty McClain and Paula Davis.

Velma leaves her legacy of love to her children: Trenton Willis (Sonja), Tim McClain (Katrina Scriblan), James McClain III (Shekedia McGee), and Octavies McCoggle; eight sisters: Irene Brown, Katheryn Copeland (Albert), Nelshell Berrien, Erma Jean Wolfe, Helen Dudley, Mary Daniels (Jasper), Stephanie Robinson (Michael) and Juanita Burks (Judge); four brothers: Stevon Davis, Jerry Davis (Edwana), Wesley Nelson (Patricia), and Warren Nickson (Sheree); a host of grandchildren: Shamariae, Tim Jr., Khalil, Zackary, Ethan, Christopher, L J (Boo Man), Kayden, Travion, Alvin, Calvin, Octavia, Lurallya, Caleb, Tyrese (bobba low), and Keyanna; three great-grandchildren: Jayliah, Jada, and Ne’Yanna Muci; one brother in-law: Willie McClain; two goddaughters: India Anderson and Latiesha Carter-Jackson (Guy); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

The celebration of life for the late Mrs. Velma L. Gates will be held Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 11:00am from the sanctuary of St. John AME Church.

Rev. Kelly Faulk is the pastor.

Apostle Sedonia Petty will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Pallbearers Cemetery.