Doris Finkley Gates

Doris Finkley Gates died at home in Jasper, Alabama on February 25, 2023 at the age of 97. Graveside Services were 11:00 am Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at Springhill Baptist Church Cemetery in Carrollton, AL with Rev. Dr. John P. Gates officiating and Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation was held at the graveside. Her memorial may be viewed at www.skeltonfuneralhome.com .
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Lillian Fife, Mable Randall and Kay Rubio; great-granddaughter, Aubrey Lea Gates; nephew, Fred Fife and nieces, Rita Reynolds and Diane Burdine.
Survivors include her husband of 77 years, William Herbert Gates, Sr.; two sons, William Herbert Gates, Jr. (Vicki) and John Philip Gates (Julie); seven grandchildren, Jennifer Gates Jones (Josh), Adam Michael Gates, Joshua Philip Gates (Talia), Jacob Paul Gates (Lauren), Jeffrey Thomas Gates (Nicole), Justin David Gates and Jonathan Edwards Gates (Rachel); ten great- grandchildren, Joshua Knox Jones, Harrison Gates Jones, Olivia Christin Jones, Sands Whitfield “Whit” Jones, Jacob Elijah “Eli” Gates, Kye Philip Gates, Ezekiel Robert “Zeke” Gates, Zane Randall Gates, Mack William Gates and Ann Marie Gates; nieces, Sabriena Hancock, Margaret Holoma (William) and Karen Blake (Phillip) and nephews, Steve Randall (Lee), David Randall (Laura) and Pat Randall.
Doris was born December 19, 1925 in Macon, Mississippi to the late John Edward Finkley and Margaret Evelyn Cotton Finkley. She grew up during the depression and even though times were hard, everyone they knew was in the same situation. As she said, “I knew I was loved.”
She graduated from Carrollton High School in 1945. She worked at grocery stores while attending school and became very knowledgeable about the rationing stamps that were used during World War II. After graduation she worked at the Veteran’s Hospital in Montgomery.
It was while living in Carrollton that she was introduced to serviceman William Herbert Gates. Soon after the war ended they married and her career as an Army wife began. Stops along the way included Army forts in Georgia, Alabama, and France. Two and a half years in France were characterized by primitive living and interesting sightseeing.
After the Army, she worked as a bookkeeper in addition to being a wife and mother. She was an excellent cook and seamstress. During her life, home and family were the most special place for Doris. She professed her faith in Christ at 12 years of age and was active as an adult in the chapel at Fort McClellan and at Gladeview Baptist Church in Anniston. Her last 20 years were spent in Jasper, AL. She was an active member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Curry, AL.
Pallbearers were her grandsons, Adam Gates, Jeffrey Gates, Joshua Gates, Jacob Gates, Justin Gates and Jonathan Gates.
Special thanks to Comfort Care Hospice (Aveanna): nurses Tywanna, Robbie, Dusty, Randi, Jill; chaplain, Chris; social worker Tom, and Melodie and Julie.
Special thanks to her sitters: Bonita Trotter, Kathy Booth, Angie Weems, Jennifer Key, Amy Pace, Karen Aldridge, Annette Lawson, Deanna Davis, Priscilla Freeman, Connie Mauldin, and nurse, Jennifer Wilson
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 6450 Curry Highway, Jasper, AL 35503 to the Building Fund or Construction Mission Team.