Mary Helen Gates

Mary Helen Gates, 85, passed away Dec. 26, 2011 in Fort Smith. She was born Oct. 20, 1926, in Hope, Ark. She was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Fort Smith. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Thomas Crosby of Little Rock, and sister June Reynolds of Hope. Mrs. Gates was the daughter of Myrtle Duke Crosby and John Thomas Crosby of Hope. She is survived by her husband, James R. Gates Jr. of Fort Smith; daughter, Jayne Alford and husband John, of Fort Smith; son, David Gates and wife Essie of Alma; grandchildren Cassandra Alford of Dallas, Texas, Jane Anne Alford of Dallas, Texas, Zohanna Gibson of Frisco, Texas and Zachary Gates of Vail, Colo.; sisters, Myrtle Flowers of North Little Rock and Aletha Rollow of Hot Springs. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, at U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Ark.under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 1400 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith, Ark. 72901 or the River Valley Animal Welfare Coalition, 4300 Rogers Avenue, Suite 100-B, Fort Smith, Ark. 72903 To place online tributes visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.