Jane Gates

JANE GATES
December 18, 2003

CUMBERLAND
Jane Paige Gates, 73, of Cumberland, passed away on Monday, Dec. 15, 2003, at her residence.

Born Nov. 8, 1930, Cumberland, she was the daughter of the late Lawrence Julian Gates Sr., and Sylvia Virginia (Stephens) Gates. Miss Gates was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence J. Gates Jr. and Bruce E. Gates; a sister, Carolyn V. Nimmons; and a niece, Tammi N. Allen, whom she helped rear.

A graduate of Carver High School, Howard University, and Johns Hopkins University, Jane was an educator and a guidance counselor who worked in the Calvert County, Hartford County, and Baltimore City School Systems. She was also employed in several federal programs tirelessly assisting disadvantaged children. She retired in 1993 and returned to Cumberland to help her ill parents and niece. She was a member of the Maryland State Teachers Association.

If Jane saw a need, she tried to fill it. She will be remembered for her kindness, caring, and generosity to others, especially to her family. Jane helped raise three nieces, Elaine Gates-Payne, Terri Nimmons and Tammi N. Allen (deceased); and a nephew, Ernest Nimmons Jr.

Jane was raised in the Episcopal faith. She was supportive of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church and the church of her maternal family, the Metropolitan AME Church. Besides Elaine, Terri, and Ernest, Jane is survived by two aunts, Helen G. Stephens, Cumberland and Thelma (Reuben) Sharpe, Sandusky, Ohio; a sister-in-law, Lola C. Gates, Cumberland; three nephews, Steven Gates, Frederick, John Gates and Bruce Gates Jr., both of Cumberland; three nieces, Stephanie Gates, Cumberland, Carol G. Gardiner, W. Hartford, Conn.; and Sylvia Gates, Frederick; and many cousins, including Dolores Gates-Thomas, with whom she had a sister relationship; and her God Daughter, Bette Stephens. Jane had many other relatives and continued with a giving heart until her sudden death.

Friends will be received at the Adams Family Funeral Home, P.A., (formerly Merritt-Adams Funeral Home, PA), 404 Decatur Street, Cumberland, on Friday, Dec. 19, 2003, from 2 to 4 and from 7 to 9 p.m. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2003, at 11 a.m. with Father Warren Frederick officiating. Pallbearers will be Stephen Gates, John Gates, Bruce Gates Jr., Sidney Thomas, Michael Payne, Michael Mangum and Travis Allen. Interment will be held at Rest Lawn Memorial Gardens.