Francis Wheatley Gates

Francis Wheatley Gates, a native of Easton, Maryland, departed this life on Monday, September 3, 2018, at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton. He was 93. He was born on December 14, 1924, in Easton, Maryland, to the late James Edward Gates and Ella Winchester Gates. He graduated from Robert Russa Moton High School in Easton in 1941 and went on to serve his country in the United States Army in March of 1943, during World War II where he attained the rank of Corporal and fought in Germany, France, and Scotland. He left the Army in 1946, and fulfilled his commitment to education by earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Bowie State College (University) in 1949. His pursuit of educational excellence did not end there. He received a Master of Education degree from Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the recipient of honorary doctorate degrees from Morgan State University, and the National Theological Seminary and College in Kansas City, Kansas. On December 22, 1951, Francis entered into holy matrimony and life-time partnership with Ada Baker. Through their union, they produced a devoted daughter, Pamela. Hard work had been a part of Francis’ early life. His work ethic was built through various traditional jobs such as delivering groceries as a child to waiting tables as a young man to pay his way through college. He began his professional career in the service of the State of Maryland’s public school System in 1949, as a social studies teacher at Robert Moton High School in Westminster, MD. His next 15 years were spent in principalships at Johnsville Elementary School (Sykesville, MD), Robert Moton High School (Westminster, MD), and at the locally beloved Lockerman High School in Denton, Maryland. From 1967 until his retirement in 1980, he held staff positions within the Maryland State Department of Education. Most notably, Dr. Gates was Chief of the Migrant Education branch from 1973-1980. Following his retirement, he joined the faculty of Sojourner-Douglass College as a political and social science instructor and was the director of its Eastern Shore satellite school. He was most presently associated with the Bennie Smith Funeral Home, headquartered in Dover, Delaware. He was an executive member of the firm whose work experience with the company spanned over 30 years. His soul was always warmed when families expressed the positive impact that his words of sympathy and comfort had on them in their time of bereavement. Outside of his esteemed career work, Dr. Gates was committed to his faith and the uplift of his community. He was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Easton, Maryland, where he served on the Steward Board, Trustee Board, and as Director of the Gospel Choir. He was recently honored as the “Oldest Member of Bethel A.M.E. Church of Easton, Maryland” at their 200th Anniversary Celebration. He has also served on the General Board of the A.M.E. Church as Vice-chairman of its Commission on Higher Education. He was a current member of the Delta Gama Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Gamma Theta Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; University of Maryland Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa; Blake-Blackston Post #77, American Legion; and Life Member of the NAACP. A 32nd-Degree Prince Hall Mason, he was a former member of Eastern Star Lodge #16 and Western Maryland Consistory #270. Dr. Gates’ love for young people and their education was always evident. He was known for asking young people about their future plans and became ecstatic when youngsters wanted to attend college and go into the field of education. He advocated for more African Americans to go into the field and to ultimately, become school leaders for the next generation. Dr. Gates was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Ada Gates in 2015. He was also preceded in death by his four brothers, Chester, Leon, Earl, and Alexander and one aunt, Margaret King. Dr. Gates leaves to cherish his memories and celebrate his life and achievements, his daughter, Pamela B. Gates of Easton, MD; grandson, Michael A. Collier, and a great-grandson, Michael Adam Collier (MAC) of Seattle, Washington; sisters-in-law, Doris Borden (Baltimore, MD), Loretta Baker (Easton, MD); and a god-daughter, Selina Davis (Greenwood, DE); several nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives; a loving caregiver, Sheila Wright (Ridgely, MD), and a host of friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Francis Wheatley Gates, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Francis Wheatley Gates

December 14, 1924 - September 3, 2018