Betty Millard Gates

Betty Millard Gates, a resident of Atlanta, Georgia since 1960, died on June 17, 2015. She was born in Lufton, Arkansas on July 6, 1930. She grew up in Oklahoma and Tennessee. Betty was valedictorian of the Class of 1948 at Marion County High School in Jasper, TN. She graduated from the University of Tennessee, where she met her future husband, Phil Gates. They were wed on February 15, 1953. She taught school in Chattanooga, TN until they moved to Nashville. They had two children, Richard and Sharon. Betty devoted her life to her children, grandchildren and many other children she encountered through family, friends and schools where she volunteered. She traveled extensively with her husband and was active in church and volunteer work. Betty especially loved to read, which led her to help many children over the years develop a greater love for reading and learning. Betty was preceded into new life by her husband, Phil, in 2010. She is survived by her children, Richard (Rick) Gates and his wife Laura, her daughter Sharon Spears and her husband Mark, three grandchildren, Ryan Spears, Chris Gates and Millar Gates, her sister, Jewell Graham, and her brother, H. Ray Millard, Jr.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Atlanta Humane Society, 981 Howell Mill Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 or Oak Grove United Methodist Church's Liberian Mission, 1722 Oak Grove Road, Decatur, GA 30033.

The family will receive friends Monday, June 29, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at A.S. Turner & Sons, Decatur, GA. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, at 12:00 pm at the A. S. Turner & Sons with Rev. Richard Gates officiating.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.

Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033