Bertha "Pie" Gates

Mrs. Bertha Gates departed this life at the age of 66, on Thursday, August 15, 2019. She was born November 30, 1952 to the late Doc Gentry and Virginia (Suggs) Gentry in Hughes, Arkansas. Bertha lived in Lynn, Massachusetts for several years before moving to Norfolk, Virginia with her husband. She lived in several states as she traveled many places due to her husband being in the Military. Following their separation, she decided to go back to Lynn, Massachusetts to care for her mother. During this time, Bertha worked for several companies throughout the years as a CNA/ Direct Support Professional. Bertha was great at her job due to her caring nature. If she was not working, she could be found at any local Bingo Hall enjoying her free time with her friends. Bertha loved to go shopping and ordering items from her mail catalogs. For Bertha, buying an outfit would consist of buying everything from head to toe. It all would have to coordinate. In 2003, she moved to Pine Buff, Arkansas where she continued to work in the nursing field. Following her mother’s death, she returned back to Virginia to live. Bertha was preceded in death by her husband Richard Gates and her grandfather Benjamin Suggs and grandmother Annie Bell (Bearden) Suggs of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; one sister Bertha Harris of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; three aunts Mary Cox, Annie Bell Guy, Janet Burton of Lynn, Massachusetts; four Uncles: Joe Suggs, Benjamin Suggs, Ike Suggs, OD Suggs of Lynn, Massachusetts. She leaves to cherish her sweet, beautiful, and precious memories three children; two sons Marcel (Katherine) Harris of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Malik Harris-Taylor of Fort Lewis, Washington, one daughter Maniya Harris-Taylor of Hampton, Virginia; Joshua Harris & Josiah of Tampa, Florida her Godsons/Nephews; two grandchildren Maleek Harris & Zoey Harris of Fayetteville, Arkansas; four sisters; Barbie (William) Christmas of Hampton, Virginia, Viola Harris of Tampa, Florida, Bonita Harris of Swansea, Massachusetts, Mable (Marlon) Wallace of Virginia Beach, Virginia her best friend of many years; one aunt Rachel Hill of Arizona: Two uncles Ed Lee Suggs & Jimmy Lee (Carolyn) Suggs of Pine Bluff, Arkansa; Catherine Lewis of Pine Bluff, Arkansas her and Christina Suggs of Brockton, Massachusetts her close family; three nieces Machelle Davis of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Mahayla Harris- Cordova-Swansea, Massachusetts, Shakeyla Harris-Cordova, Worchester, Massachusetts; nephews James Davis of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Tyler Davis of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

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Bertha "Pie" Gates

November 30, 1952 - August 15, 2019