Online Source: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/winn/obits/current/nov2003.txt

Extracted from The Winn Parish Enterprise (Winnfield, LA)
Wednesday, November 19, 2003

Gertrude Mixon Gates

Services for Gertrude Mixon Gates, 93, of Monroe were held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Mulhearn Funeral Home on Sterlington Road in Monroe with the Rev. Doug Allen officiating. Burial was at Mulhearn Memorial Park.

Mrs. Gates died Tuesday, November 11, 2003 in Monroe. She was born August 19, 1910 in Winn Parish, LA. She was the only daughter of John Randle and Ella Puckett Mixon who resided near Dodson in Winn Parish throughout their lifetime. She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris Gladden Gates, formerly of Sikes, and one grandson, Murray Orion Parker.

She was a 1927 graduate of Dodson High School, later attending college in Natchitoches at what is now Northwestern State University, earning BA and MA degrees as well as a Masters plus 30.

Mrs. Gates was a member of College Place Baptist Church and a number of professional organizations, as well as the Chief Tusquahoma Chapter-Daughters of the American Revolution and the Palestine Chapter #55 Order of the Eastern Star. She was listed in Outstanding Elementary Teachers of America and received numerous awards for her work with 4-H clubs at Dodson High School during 23 years of service as an adult 4-H Leader.

She retired in 1974 after serving more than 40 years as a teacher in the Winn Parish Public Schools. She and her husband moved to Monroe in 1977, where she taught an additional 10 years at Ridgedale Academy and Grace Episcopal School.

Survivors include two daughters, Ella Sue Gates Parker and husband Doyle of Monroe, Ada Lynne Gates Leonard and husband Cyril of Sulphur, LA; three grandsons, Dr. Doyle Randall Parker and wife Avee of West Monroe, Dr. Waylon Morris Parker and wife Peggy of Monroe, Kevin McCarton Leonard and wife Cathy of Sulphur, LA; two granddaughters, Melissa Susan Parker Wiygul and husband Gary of Monroe, Margaret Gay Leonard Wright and husband Ian of Sulphur, LA; eight great-grandchildren, Adam Everett Parker, Suzanne Kathryn Parker, Henry Addison Wiygul, Eamon Patrick Leonard, Andrew Berkley Wright, Emma Marie Leonard, Clairelynn Margaret Wright and Liam McCarton Leonard.

Pallbearers were grandsons and great-grandson.