Janice Patterson Gates

Janice Patterson Gates born August 25, 1925 in Pine Bluff, Ark. passed away March 21, 2011. She was a graduate of Pine Bluff High School and Texas Women's University where she received a BA in Occupational Therapy. Mrs. Gates was employed as an Occupational Therapist, Easter Seals, Little Rock, Jenkins Center, Pine Bluff and Sunshine School, Pine Bluff. She was a member of the League of Women Voters, National Organization of Women, numerous civic and volunteer groups. She was recognized by Ronald Reagan for Coordination of Outreach Program for Arkansas Easter Seals, Hillary Clinton with name inscribed at Terry Mansion Decorative Arts Center for efforts in resolving Little Rock Central High School desegregation issues., equality for all and helping those less fortunate. She was married to the late Thomas Virgi Gates, PhD. in 1948 in Pine Bluff, Ark. She was also preceded in death by mother, Readma Dansby and father, Jerry L. Patterson. Survivors include son, Jerry Davis Gates; grandchildren, Brequelle Keeney and Brenna Keeney; first cousins, Jerry L. Patterson II and Ted Dansby. There were no siblings. Memorial Services are at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Unitarian Universalist Church, 1818 Reservoir Rd., Little Rock, Ark. A memorial reception will be at 12 noon, Sunday, April 3, 2011 at First Methodist Church, 6th and Pine St., Fellowship Hall, Pine Bluff, Ark. Donation in lieu of flowers to Alzheimer's Association, Oklahoma/Arkansas, Chapter 6465 S. Yale Ave., Suite 312, Tulsa, Okla. 74136-7810, phone 1-800-272-3900, 918-481-7741. Online donations: www.alz.org/alzoka.