Geraldine G. Gates

Geraldine Gates passed away peacefully in her sleep. She was called home on August 15th, 2018 at 12:15 am. Geraldine Gertrude Gaines Gates, affectionately known as Baby Sis was the youngest daughter of the Late Alvin Nathaniel Gaines and Lucy Bundy Gaines. She was born July 23, 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she attended the public schools and graduated from Overbrook High School. She attended Bluefield State University, The Sorbonne University in Paris, France, New York University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University where she obtained her Master's Degree and received her Doctoral equivalency. She was a very active member of White Rock and Mount Olivet Baptist Churches, where she sang on the choir along with her sister Marion, and her cousin Beatrice. She was on the choir from childhood to an adult along with her mother. They spent summers with their grandparents in Virginia who were also active in the Baptist church. Gilbert Bundy was a deacon and Nina was on the choir. Geri was united in Holy Matrimony to Dr. Earl Augustus Gates on November 23, 1955. Together they became members of St. Mary The Virgin Episcopal Church. The union was blessed with three daughters. Ivy, Stephanie and Eileen. Earl preceded her in death on October 14, 1971. Geri became a member of her beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc while attending Bluefield State University. She was a Golden Soror, with over 50 years of membership, and a Life Member. She was also a member of The Alpha Wives, Chi Wives, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, the Baltimore Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, and the Pinochle Bugs. She loved travelling, going to dances, going out to dinner, shopping with “her girls” and spending time with her granddaughter Cree. They had a very special relationship. She and Cree referred to each other as each other's “Besties”. They were inseparable and partners in crime. She was a well-respected French and English teacher at Lemmel Junior High, Walbrook, Poly, and Lake Clifton Senior High Schools. She referred to her students as her “Little Darlings”. She carried all of them in her heart. Geri quietly and peacefully departed on Wednesday August 15th, 2018 at Manor Care Roland Park. Her beautiful life will be cherished in the lives of her children, Ivy Germaine Gates-Smith ( Danard) of Owings Mills, Stephanie Lynne Gates-Edwards (Delton) of Randallstown, Md, Eileen Allison Gates, of Randallstown, Md, Granddaughter Cree Eileen Autumn Kontsis, of Randallstown, Md, Brother- in- Law Francis Wheatley Gates, of Denton, Md and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, and her little darlings.

Tributes

Geraldine G. Gates

July 25, 1927 - August 15, 2018