Obituary of Mr.Dennis Gates

It's with profound sadness that we, the Prestige Funeral Home Staff, announce the passing of Mr. Dennis Gates. The family will receive friends at 1351 Highway 57 South, Dillon, SC 29536. Please remember the Gates Family in your prayers as they prepare to celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. Dennis Gates. The obituary: 2nd Corinthians 4: 17-18 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Sunrise: Dennis Gates, son of the late Ponce Leon and Anna Bell was born on August 31, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio. Education: Dennis (Papa) as he was affectionately called, received his formal education in the public schools of Cleveland, Ohio. Dennis served in the United States Army for several years and was honorably discharged. Reflection: Dennis was employed with the Cleveland Electric Company for many years before he relocated to Trenton, NJ. Shortly after, he began his employment at Johnson and Johnson. After 27 years of service with Johnson and Johnson, he retired and relocated with his wife to Dillon, SC. He attended Millers Chapel A.M.E of Little Rock, SC under Rev. James Williams. He was also under the leadership of Rev. Barbara Benjamin of Maxton, NC. He later joined Temple of Deliverance under the leadership of Apostle Sandra Evans and Brother Larry Evans, Dillon, SC. Sunset: Dennis departed his life on Thursday, July 13, 2023. His Heavenly Father closed his earthly book and he began a new chapter of his life in eternity. Family: Dennis was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Bell Gates; his father, Ponce Leon Gates; his brothers, Ponce Leon Gates, Jr. Benard Gates, and Robert Gates; his sister, Florine Reynolds Phillips and Louqenia Gates Clark; his sister-in-law’s, Gloria Winstock, Naomie Rowell and Ethel Rowell; his brother-in-law’s, Paul Glenn, Maxie Rowell and Eddie Rowell Dennis leaves to cherish his memories, his lovely wife, Sally Gates; five children, Va’Donda Rowell of Highpoint, NC, Eddie Rowell of Atlanta, GA, Charika Rowell-Ellis of Columbia, SC, Latoya (Chris) Abson of Dillon, SC and Tiffany Rowell of Dillon, SC; 12 grandchildren and one great-grand; two spiritual daughters, Tetecia Newman and Iris Parker of Tabor City, NC; one Godson, Willie McLaughlin; very close friends, Harry Benjamin and Sallie Leach; one brother-in-law, Shelton Rowell of Dillon, SC; Azalee Glenn of Union, SC, Maggie McLaughlin of Dillon, SC, Angela Rowell of Dillon, SC and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Gates of Florida and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.