George Nathaniel Gates, Sr.

George Gates, Sr., of Freeney Avenue, Suffolk, Virginia transitioned Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at his residence surrounded by his loved ones. He is the son of the late Endie Mae Gates and Roland Gates, Sr. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his son Tremaine Nathaniel Patterson; grandson, Dominique Artis; sisters, Sylvia Gates and Joann Greene; brothers, James Brown, Eugene Gates, Roland Gates, Jr. and Tony Gates. He was a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School. In 1972 he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Fayetteville, N.C at Fort Bragg until 1982. After leaving the Army he started his career at Smithfield Packing Company where he devoted 25 years before retiring in 2018. He was the family jokester which he loved spending time with them and loved making people laugh. He loved watching Old Westerns and his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Velma Lee Gates of Suffolk, VA; three daughters, Felita Creekmore (Milton), Belinda Artis and Sybol Gates all of Suffolk, VA; three sons, Morris Nathaniel Gates, Tony Nathaniel Artis (Priscilla) and George Nathaniel Gates, Jr. all of Suffolk, VA; three sisters, Connie Holliman, Debbie Gates and Darlene Gates all of Suffolk, VA; four brothers, Charles Gates (Thelma) of Gates, N.C., Reginald Gates (Marianne) of Greenville, SC, William Madison (Claudia) and James Brinkley both of Suffolk, VA; three sisters-in-law, Johnetta Gates, Janie Gates-Moore and Trina Skinner all of Suffolk, VA; 20 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren A viewing will be held 12-6 p.m. Sunday, December 11, 2022 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel. A celebration of life will be held noon, Monday, December 12, 2022 at Rising St. James Pentecostal Holiness Church, 201 N. 6th Street, Suffolk, VA. Rev. Robert Wilkins will deliver the message of comfort. He will be laid to rest in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.