Bertha Gates, daughter of the late Martin Wilfong and Ester Harrington Wilfong, was born on August 24, 1935 in Puxico, Missouri and passed away June 1, 2011 at her residence in Dexter at the age 75.

Mrs. Gates was a member of the Friendship Baptist Church, a former inspector for Paramount Headwear, and a resident of Dexter.

On March 26, 1954 she was united in marriage to Bill J. Gates in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Mr. Gates preceded her in death on December 31, 1999.

She is survived by two sons, Steven Gates and his wife Carol of Brockwell, Arkansas and Mark Gates and wife Cindy of Dexter; by two brothers, Donald Wilfong and Gary Wilfong both of Puxico; by one sister, Reva Cantrell of Puxico; and by four grandchildren, Bradley Gates, Matthew Gates, Justin Gates and Tommy Gates.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by five brothers, Lester Wilfong, Thurman Wilfong, David Wilfong, Eugene Wilfong, and Claude Wilfong; and by one sister, Vivian Pate.

Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, June 3, 2011 from 5 until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 2 p.m. in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Lonny Mittag officiating. Interment will follow in the Dexter Cemetery.