RICE, Oct. 12 – Reed Walthall Gates, 94, of Rice, passed away Thursday, October 7, 2010.

She graduated from State Teachers College in Farmville, now Longwood University. Her giving personality, passion for her family and friends, her strong faith inspired all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

She was the wife of the late Bruce W. Gates and is survived by three sisters, Ann W. Osborn of Farmville, Edith Stafford of Richmond, and Emily Wilkerson and husband, Emery of Richmond.

Her late parents were Richard and Mildred Walthall of Rice. She had many beloved nephews and nieces, Dr. Jimmy Gates, Richard Osborn, Nevyn Rankin, Bill Davis, Nancy Ware, Jimmy Davis, Julian Gates, Jean Fowlkes, Tommy Gates, Betty Jo Bailey, Carolyn Martin, Elizabeth Hill, Gary Stafford, Bill Gates, Vince Osborn, Rick Osborn, Luke Osborn, Nash Osborn, Jim Osborn, Margaret Reed Kite, Ashley Bryant, Kerry Davis, Emily Stobieski, Shannon Revere, Courtney Ware, Rachel Stafford, Sarah Stafford, Katherine Stafford and Dunkin Rankin.

Funeral services were held Sunday, October 10, at Jamestown Presbyterian Church, Rice. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Jamestown Presbyterian Church, c/o Mrs. Myrtle Banton, 50 Lockett Road, Rice, VA 23966.

Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, was in charge of arrangements.

www.puckettfh.com