Betty Joe Gates

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in memory of Betty Joe "Granny" Owen Gates at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 2, 2021, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 315 Marshall Street, Shreveport, LA, with Celebrant Monsignor Earl V. Provenza, Concelebrant Reverend Duane C. Trombetta, and Concelebrant Reverend Charles Glorioso. Visitation will be held Thursday, July 1 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA, with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. Betty was born May 21, 1932, in Marshall, TX, to Hester Honoria King and John Garvin Owen. She shared 52 years of marriage with Ed Gates, who passed away January 30, 2002. They left a loving legacy of nine children, 22 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren (plus one due this Fall), and one great-great- grandchild. She was a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, chef, doctor, coach, cheerleader, teacher, counselor, homemaker, businesswoman, and animal lover. She taught us many valuable lessons about life including the importance of family, gathering together, and fighting for the underdog. She lived to serve others, sharing love, and feeding everyone from stray animals to "stray people" and made you feel like family just moments after meeting her. The virtues of Faith, Hope, and Charity were infused in her soul. She had a strong and steadfast faith, and closely followed the teachings of the Catholic Church. Throughout her life, she lit vigil candles and prayed for loved ones and their prayer requests. She was a Southern woman with grit, who held true to her word and protected as hard as she loved. She taught us through her actions and words the importance of patience and treating others with kindness and respect. She supported her family with unconditional love and forgiveness. A lifelong resident of the Shreveport-Bossier area, she and Ed co-founded Bossier Sign Company in 1963 and Bossier Foundation Drilling in 1990. Her work ethic was unparalleled, and she worked full-time until it was time to pass the torch to the next generation who now continue to lead and operate the business today. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sons, Edward Mark Gates and Allen Mathew Gates; siblings, Johnny Owen, Bernice Owen, Robert "Bobby" Owen, Jack D. "Jimmy" Owen, Elizabeth "Buba" Sherwin, and Richard Owen; grandson, Jonathan C. Dockery; and precious furbaby, Puddin'. She is survived by her sister, Doris "Marilyn" Owen Welch, of Jacksonville, FL; children, Celeste Ware and husband, Carroll "Mole" of Mooringsport, Louisiana, Collette Dockery and husband, John R. "Dick" of Jefferson, Texas, Cecilia Dalke and husband, Glen of New Braunfels, Texas, John Owen Gates and wife, Carol of Bossier City, Louisiana, Bernadette Chandler and husband, Cicero "Bubba" of Shreveport, Louisiana, Alicia Ryan of Mooringsport, Louisiana; Caroline Cannon and husband, Ray of Shreveport, Louisiana; grandchildren, Jeremy "Luke" Gates and wife, Sarah of Fort Worth, Texas, Amanda Gates Smith of Bossier City, Louisiana, Brandy Cromeens and husband, David of Tyler, Texas, Eric Ware and wife, Samantha of Bossier City, Louisiana, Heather Yeadon and husband, Robert of Winona, Texas, Julie Freeman and husband, Matt of Kerrville, Texas, Bernadette "BV" Simpson and husband, Josh of Missouri City, Texas, Nigel Dalke and wife, Sarah of Morgan Hill, California, Mathew Gates and wife, Amy Jo of Benton, Louisiana, Ben Gates and wife, Crystal of Bossier City, Louisiana; Joseph Owen Gates and fiancé, Jamie of San Francisco, California, Julia Henry and husband, Don of Bossier City, Louisiana, Nicole Chandler Colvin of Shreveport, Louisiana, Danielle Chandler and fiancé Daniel Love of Bossier City, Louisiana, Celena Wells and Corey of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Amber Elliott of Temple, Texas, Andrew Dickey and wife, Caitlyn of Grapevine, Texas, Hannah Arsenault and husband, Craig of Shreveport, Louisiana, Caleb Daniels and wife, Courtenay of Shreveport, Louisiana, Joseph Cannon and Joshua Cannon of Shreveport, Louisiana; great-grandchildren, Bailey Smith and fiancé, Ariana Ortiz, Mary Gates, Julianna Gates, Alexandra Goarin, Mia Ware, Noah Ware, Austin Allen, Addison Yeadon, Olivia Yeadon, Maya Simpson, Grayson Gates, McKenna Gates, Grant Gates, Bryson Gates, Taylor Henry, Jackson Henry, Emma Keener, Aubrey Claire Keener, Mattie Lynn Faulkner, Lucy Wells, Owen Wells, Ezra Dickey, Eli Mize, Kayleigh Daniels, Charlotte Rose Arsenault, soon to be Collette Cecilia Simpson; great-great-grandchild Alexander Waltz; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She also leaves behind her beloved cats Java, Pete and RePete, and parrot Gray Baby "Graby". In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, and Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Shreveport, LA. The family would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Ajaya K. Tummala and his staff, as well as caregivers Rhonda, Margo and TaKameria at Willis-Knighton North's Cardiac Unit, who lovingly cared for our Mama and Granny. We are thankful for the years we shared with this beautiful soul, and find peace knowing she has reunited with our loved ones who have gone before her. We love you, Granny. For those who are unable to attend the service will be available to watch live on Holy Trinity's website at holytrinity-shreveport.com and the church's Facebook page.