Gladys Denise (Wheeler) Gates

Mrs. Gladys Denise Wheeler Gates, 68 of Cartersville, Georgia passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Piedmont Cartersville Health Care. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this time of bereavement. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 19, 2022 at 12:00PM at New Hope Baptist Church, 106 Fire Tower Road NW, Cartersville, Georgia 30120. The body will lie in state in the church from 11:00AM until the hour of service. Interment will follow in Westwood Garden Cemetery, 1155 Everee Inn Road, Griffin, Georgia 30224.

On Tuesday morning, September 13, 2022, the death angel came and bore Gladys Denise Wheeler Gates' spirit away to a land that is free from sickness, sorrow and pain, at the age of 68.

Gladys was born on September 3, 1954 in Cartersville, Georgia to the late Mr. Lucius Wheeler, Sr. and the late Ella Belle Gainor Wheeler. Gladys was the seventh of twelve children.

Gladys attended the public schools of Bartow County; Bartow Elementary School and Cass High School (Class of 1973), where she played basketball and was a member of the drill team. After high school she was employed at E-Z Mills for a number of years.

Her love for God and His word lead her to be a loving member of Victory Life Church where she served faithfully helping to lead the youth in bible based skits and programs and being a lover of music and singing she was an active song and praise leader in the church choir. She also enjoyed planning birthday celebrations,wedding and baby showers for family and also members and friends of the church family.

Gladys married Mr. Rufus Gates of Griffin, Georgia on September 3,1994 and moved to Griffin, Georgia. There she worked various jobs until she was hired at Ingles Grocery Store as a deli worker preparing and serving take-out dinners and party trays.

Gladys and her husband Rufus attended the Over-Coming Church of God in Christ in Griffin, Georgia where Rufus played the piano and they enjoyed singing together during praise and worship service. They also attended the United Pentecostal Church under Pastor Bailey for a a short while because of failing health. In 2012 because of failing health of both Gladys and her husband Rufus, they were not able to care for each other, she moved back to Cartersville, Georgia so she could get help from her family and Rufus stayed in Griffin, Georgia so he could get help from his family.

Gladys was preceded in death by her father, Mr. Lucius Wheeler,Sr.,mother, Mrs. Ella Belle Gainor Wheeler; brother, Perry Wheeler; brother, John L. Gainor, James A. Wheeler, Sr., and Lucius "Ricky" Wheeler,Jr.; sister, Eve Mae Wheeler Johnson; brother in laws, Mr. Harold Coleman , Sr. and Mr. Anthony Coleman.

Gladys leaves to cherish her memories, a loving husband, Mr. Rufus Gates; sisters and brothers, Lillie Marian Wheeler Coleman, Willie Frank Wheeler (Retanza), Margaret Arnita Wheeler, Patsy Ruth Wheeler Coleman, Donald Laveen Wheeler (Veronica), and Alice Iola Wheeler Chester. A very caring and loving friend Mrs. Diane Linley Hall, a close and loving cousin, Alberta Lynn Nation; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends both in Cartersville, Georgia and Griffin, Georgia.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.mackeppingerfuneralhome.com

Mack Eppinger and Sons Funeral Service, Inc. are in charge of the arrangements.

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